New Orleans. La

                                                                                                                        Jan 3^rd 1865

 

Dear Father.

                        Your communication of Dec 11^th/64 was duly received and I was very glad to hear from you and that you were all well at home. I am well and tough as a bear and can eat as much as any of Uncle Sams soldiers that is if they cant eat any more than I can.

 

I have not much news to write that is worth writing. There is a great rejoice deal cheering here over Gen Shermans great victory at Savannah he is giving the rebels what they deserve and I think that he will continue to drive them and thrash them till Jeff Davis and his rebel crew are wiped from the face of the earth and counted among the things / that were. I left Brazos Island on Christmas morning and arrived here on the night of the 27^th of Dec We are doing duty here in the City and I think that we will stay here if not till our time is out. I am on duty about every other day and we have to put on so much style that it takes about all the spare time I have to keep my gun & equipments in order.

 

            I am glad to hear that my my money went through all right. I think that you could not have done better with it than investing it in Uncle Sams 7-30 bonds and I think that I shall soon have some more to send you for I hear that the money is here to pay us with as soon as the pay rolls are made out I hav got four months pay due me / now which will come to sixty four Dollars and I have some clothing money due now.

 

            How do you like living in Panama I dont believe you will work quite as hard now as you did when you was on the farm

 

I have got som over eight months more to serve Uncle Sam and then if I live I think that I shall come and see you in your village home I think that I have seen about enough of the world and if I live to get out of the Service I shall be contented to stay at home or find a home of my own and settle down for it dont pay to travel for here I am in my 25^th year and have only got about two hundred and fifty dollars and I think / that I could have done better if I had staid at home but some one has got to go and help fight the battle of Freedom and I dont see but what it might as well been me as any one.

 

but three years is enough for me and when I get out I mean to keep out.

 

I shall have to close for this time for there is so much noise that I cant write.

 

            Give my Respects to all from your Son          HAT

            address

                        Harrison Cook

                        Co E 91^st Reg^t Ill Vol

                                    New Orleans

                                                            La.

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