On Boar Steam Ship Catawba

                                                                                    Off Fort Ganes            Mobile, A^li

                                                                                                Augest 23^d 1864.11.A.M.

 

Dear Mother

                        I tak this opornity to write you a few lines to let you know that I ame well. I wrote to you the 9^th at Morganzia. on the 14^th we ware ordred down to New Orleans we arived at New orleans at 8 P.M. 16^th the we got on Transport Laural Hill and ware ordred back to Morganza La we arived at Morganza on the 17^th 2 P.M. went into camp on the 20^th we ware ordred back to New Orleans agen we arived at New Orleans 21^st 5 P.M. we got on board Steam Ship Catawba the 23^d Wisconsin got on board with is, and this four noon finds off Fort Ganes Mob. ling at / anker wating orders. Report says that Fort Morgan surendred yestarday at 10 A.M., we cane see Fort Morgan with a glass. Dear Mother you will see by this that we have ben moving around pretty well for the last month but we have moved around on boats all the while

 

            6 oclock A.M. Aug. 25

Dear Mother fort Morgan sunrendred on the 23^d at 2 oclock P.M. our steam ship moved around near the port, and we could see the Prisner and alltho we did not get up in time to take part in the action, but we saw the Rebel Rag pulled down and saw the Starspangel Banner put in its place. we landed yestarday morning. I was detailed to stay on the steam ship Catawba to help get of the Horses and mules / we are about 2 miles from the Fort. our Troop took over 500 Prisners and 136 canon. this place where we are encamped is along the shore the water is salt plenty of oisters here we have order to get on transports this morning and go up the Chanel 15 miles to a place cald Seder Point it is 25 miles from here to Mobile some say that the Rebs will will not hold out long up there. Adremal Farrogat is within 3 miles of the city they say that he cane burn the city any time he hes amine to. the Genrel that commanded this fort spiked all the guns after he surendred Report say that they have him in irens. this neck of land is all white sand where we encamp but we expect to leve here / every minet In haste no more at presant give my Respects to all enquring friends

 

I remain as ever your Son

                                                William M Bell

                                                Co. E 161^st NY Vol

 

Direct to New Orleans

                        La

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