Brashear City, Camp Reno, April 15^th 1863.

 

Well, Frank, I feel pretty smart this morning I have Benn walking I stopt at the depo to see the Rebel prisnors start for new orleans on the cars the Rebel capt and comadoar are Smart looking men you will see in my other letter Before this of the taking the Queen of the west and thear prisnors. no news from the army this morning the steam boat has not come down yet. I think she will bring good news the report was last night that our army had taken 700 hundred prisnors. I hope I shall hear from you soon But I think not for thear was a mail steamer last week she was on the way from New York to New orleans thear is a mail steamer arives at New orleans every week from Newyork and one sails every week from hear to Newyork I shall close this letter till to marow morning so I can write all the news oup to that time I have got to mail it in the morning for the mail steamer sails next day for Newyork I will write the news of the army oup to that time you will see in my other three letters Before this stating the afairs of the army. 12 oclok and no news from the army yet. Frank write who teaches the school this sumer you must go all you can and Be a good Boy and mind your teacher you must take pains in writing and speling write compositions at home

 

Eliza ann have him write one every week at home he will have plenty time enough to do it if not tell him to By his stove wood all chopt for the stove I wanter have him good in writing & spelling above all things else he can Read vary well now have him study arethmetic this summer & geagapha go to school as long as the money lasts & then learn some trade that you would like or eny other Busness you like I think I have wrote enough A Bout this I have sead what I like to have you do Frank, one thing more dont Be a Niger for no one. I have and Ben sick for it take this advise from your farthear Asa Homes

 

2 oclock & no news from the army yet. Frank that cain of mine I want you should keap safe and always keap it if I dont Return to Remembear me By & your granpar to I Bleave I laid it in the drawer I dont think of Enything that Mary A. Delia would like now if thear is let her have it tell her to keap it in Remembrance of her father who is far A way from both of you. I have not got my pay yet and I think I shant git it in some time yet no sines of it as I see. if I had not had good luck I should superard for some to help me with gest A bout this time Every one has got to look out for himself no one knows you and I dont know no one tha are all strangers Everyone for himself that the games play

                                                                                                                        Asa Holmes

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