Head Quarters 1^st Brigade,

                                                                                    3^rd Division, 19^th Army Corps.

                                                                                    Camp Bisland, La., Oct. 1^st. 1863.

 

My dear Parents:

                        I received a letter from you, this afternoon, dated September 4^th; it was directed to Port Hudson, and re-directed by some mistake to the 110^th Regt. N.Y.V.—fortunately it came to me without any difficulty. I think it best, for the future, to direct my letters to the regiment.

 

            In regard to John—I have not seen or heard of him but once since I left Baton Rouge. In regard to his being discharged from the service—on the plea of being afflicted with chills and fever—that is an impossibility—as some regiments have nearly one-half of the men down with the same disease—and to discharge such a number would greatly reduce—and have a tendency to demoralize the army. John told me that he would attempt to get his discharge on the plea of having a diseased spine. I hope he will be successful— / not only for his sake—but yours.

 

            I was quite pleased with the tone of your letter—especially with the part relative to the prospects of a speedy termination of this horrible war—which has, and is still plunging thousands of families into mourning for loved ones who have left heir homes never to return.

 

            Our army is still encamped at Camp Bisland, but there is a prospect of our moving in a day or two. I wish to impress one fact upon your minds—viz: my letters, as we advance further up the country, will be written at much longer intervals, as a matter of necessity, than those which I have written lately—as the communication with New Orleans will be less frequent. You must try and not feel alarmed if you do not hear from me again in a month.

 

            I am not not doing duty in my regiment—and there is scarcely a shadow of a chance of my taking part in any engagement.

 

            Bye the bye, I had nearly forgotten—relative to the gauntlets—I captured a rebel knapsack—upon opening it I found a variety / of articles—clothing of all descriptions—and a variety of keepsakes—which I suppose were sent to the owner of the knapsack by his friends. The gauntlets, I thought, might fit Jennie so I sent them.

 

            Give my love to all the family, and kiss the little ones for their absent brothers, as usual.                                                        With much love

                                                                        I remain

                                                                                    Your Affectionate Son

                                                                                                            George.

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