Camp Griffith Near Washington, La
                          Thursday 5 February 1863       

                                                                       

My Darling Julia,

                We arrived here on last Saturday evening
and have been detained here since then waiting for boats
to take us to Marganza on the Mississippi River.

           We do not know when we will get off, perhaps not
a week or ten days hence,  The head of the Battalion
is much unfriendly. Our Lavaca  Boys are pretty well
though.  Jimmy Thompson is complaining a little, nothing
very serious however.  I wrote to you on          but have
nothing from you later than 12th January and have
quite a spell of the blues.  A letter from you now would
cheer me up very much but as I get none, I am forced
to bide my fate.  Since our arrival here we have had
very heavy rains, and some cold weather, in fact I
believe it to be the coldest spell we have had during the
winter.  This morning we had snow and sleet.  We are
fortiunate in having good quarters and having plenty of
woods; being quartered in a large Sugar House on Wm.
Griffith Plantation, from which our camp takes its name.

 

          We have rumors of the landing of a large force of the
enemy at Bernick Bay, and are looking for orders to
return to Near Iberia.  I would be glad to return for
then we might get our letters regularly, and where we
are going it is extremely doubtful whether we will
ever hear from home though we may be able to send
our letters out occasionally and you will sometimes
hear from us.  I have swapped off my sorrel horse
and have a splendid pony which I hope to bring
for our Boy.  I am still with the Quartermaster
and we have a splendid room with fireplace and
good beds, but you must not suppose that we are
always so fortunate;  for during the rains, we were in
an old tent which turned more water inside than
out and gave us a good wetting.

 

       We have confirmation of the defeat and capture
of our forces at Arkansas Post. I fear our friends
are prisoners.  I have not heard what regiments
of our troops were engaged.  Write me if you have
heard from Irvine ,- I have not heard from Frank
or Alf since my last letter .  Suppose Alf has
written home from Houston.

       I see by the papers that the Militia has been
disbanded in Texas and hope Bro Alex may
still remain at home to take care of the families
who are dependent on him.

 

                                                6th

It was quite late last night when I quit work and
did not have time to finnish my letter, and I
have been very busy all day today, so that it is
late at night again before I can give attention to
my darling Julia.  I have not forgotten you
though for I think of you all day long.
and wonder when I will again be with you
and your dear Children and friends at home.

 

       We have had really a pleasant day though
it is yet quite cool. Do not yet know when
we will get off;  perhaps not for a week.

 

         We have news from Vicksburg that the
enemy have besieged it with over one hundred
Thousand men; but our people are very con
fident of surviving.  I wish we could be there
to give them some assistance - From Charleston
we hear that the Blockade has been eased by
our Gunboats and a number of the enemy
ships destroyed.  It does seem that the war must
end in the spring.  Yet, I fear it may not.  We are
all very much tired of itand I suppose the Yankees are
as tired of it as we.  I long for the time when I
can live at home with You and our little ones.  It
seems to me I would be much happier than before I
was parted from You though that was the happiest
time of my life.  I dream of you almost every night
and imagine that we are at home again in Lavaca
but “Sorrow returns with the dawning of Morn” and
and I wake to find it all a dream.  Yet let us hope
the time near when our best dreams and wishes
shall be realized - Give my love to Mother, Mary,Willie,
Bro Alex family Aunt Janet family Sister Ada  & Bro Jim
to your Pa when you see him and my regards to
All our friends.  I will try to write to Mother & Addie
by this mail if I get time.  Write to me often
and direct your letter until further notice to
Opelousas, La  With love and kisses to darling
Wife and babies.               Yours ever    Travis

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