HeadQuarters 31^st U.S.C. Troops

Roma Texas Aug. 12^th 1865

 

My Dear Brother:

                        I think my last letter to you was written while we lay at White's Ranche near Brazos Santiago. We left White's Ranche for this place just a month ago today. We were about (12) twelve days on the road The weather was very warm and quite a number were sun struck. Roma is about one hundred and fifty miles from Brazos by the road and double that distance by the river. Roma is situated on a bluff of the Rio Grande, which is navigable to this point by small flat bottom steamers. The town contains two or three hundred inhabitants, most of whom speak the Spanish Language. The country is rolling & somewhat broken and is almost a desert. It is covered with an undergrowth of prickly brush or Chaparrel, and Cactus. It rarely ever rains /

 

The view from a hill in rear of our camp is magnificent. To the west the country rises slowly from the river, spreading out to view an immense streatch of country sixty miles in extent and bounded at that distance on the west by the Sierra Madre, and beyond on a clear day the grayish summits of the Mexican Cordillarus can be seen. To the southard the view is equally grand and looks like a fruitful country but on a near approach it is found to produce little else than cactus and low bushes. In some of the valleys corn and water melons are raised in abundance but no vegetables. Grapes grow very finely in Mexico a little way back from the river. At Monterey peaches grow to perfection The county opposite is held by the Liberals. We rec'd a visit from a Col. a couple of Majors & others a few days ago. They seemed to enjoy themselves very much got gloriously tight and had a good time generally I judge. At night a Fandango was gotten up by the citizens in their homes I attended and was much amused at the attempts at dancing among those who do not understand a word that is said / The Mexicans are superb dancers and among themselves got along finely.

 

            Well! I would like to know how you are getting along during this hot weather. I have not heard from you in a long long while. I have written you several times since hearing from you. But I suppose there are several letters on the way for me and I will get them in due season. We have had but one mail since we have been at this place. My last letter from home is dated the 27^th of June I think I am counted out on a "furlough" home this fall. I do not think I can afford to spend $400^— for that purpose. What think you? I have four months pay due me at the end of Aug. The regiment has not been paid in Eight months. Most of the officers got 4 months pay at Norfolk before starting for Texas I sent $400^— home from Ft. Monroe I shall have $400^— to send home if we are paid off at the end of August which will make $1100^— that I have sent home since I have been in this regiment. As you have been an Officer longer I presume you can beat this. /

 

At present I am not situated much with a view to comfort as all the baggage I have was what I carried on my horse. Our baggage was left on the bank of the River at White's Ranche for transportation by river and has not yet made its appearance. When it does come we shall fix up with a view to comfort & the idea of remaining in our present location for some length of time. Please write me what you know of Lieut. H. H. Wilson of this reg't. You wrote me that he was Lt. Col. of some Reg't. at Beaufort. We have never received any notification of his promotion and still bear him on our rolls as 1^st Lt. H. H. Wilson absent Detached at Beaufort S.C. &c. Do you think you will have the opertunity to remain in the service after this fall. I suppose it will depend much on the action of Congress. We hear but little news here.

 

Write on receipt of this and direct to

            31^st U. S. Colored Troops

            3^d Brig. 2^d Div. 25^th A.C.

            Army of the Rio Grande

                                    Roma Texas                Your Brother

via New Orleans                                                         Romaine

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