Brashear City

            Camp Segle, Feb 21, 1863

 

Frank we are now about A mile from the city in camp on the bank of the river and about half a mile below the fort whitch tha have got most done. we are on the ground whear the Rebels throwed shells acrost the river three nights ago and shot at one of the gun Boats and then retreated tha aint showed themselves sence tha cant git down the river vary handy when tha git the fort done with thear rebels gunboats to Atacks ous if tha fire Another canon ball acrost the river tha will have every bilding burnt in A short time on that side of the river in A short time from our Batterous and gunboats while I set hear writing the rebels come on the bank of the river with a flag of truse thear was twelve of them on horseback and one cairage with a white flag our gun boat run oup wheare tha was, and A small boat took two officers in it went A shore whear tha was thear A great while holding council about something the officer ceep everything from the soldiers it might be of some importance mabe we will find out in a fiew days tha ceep the solgears ignorant as tha can what is going on. the Rebel camp is seven miles from ous and tha are seven thousand strong and expect five thousand more witch will make a prity strong army, against three thousand but we never shall run for them tha never can cross the river with out being cut to peaces with our small force I write more tomorrow I write this evening I did not hafter go on the gun Boat oup the river tonight Compy A sent twenty men on it to see what tha could discover towards the Rebel Camp. my friend David Coffin went. he and I started from oxford together to protect one another wile gone and I have found him true sofar when he started from camp he gave me his pockett Book and A likeness. it ma be that tha may have A battle while gone and if he should not return I know what to do with it and jest so with me if Eny thing happens to me he will do the same we tent together and our things are together no more tonight. Sunday 22 1863 four oclock in the afternoon jest arrived from new orleans one regement and A Batery with ten canons plaict near our camp redey for them to night tha expect them down every moment to shell ous tha wanted we should leav yesterday in twenty four ours we expect more help from neworleans next train good by Frank Asa Holmes

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