U.S. Steamer B. J. Adams.

Goodricks Landing Louisina.

 

            Monday, April 4^th 1864

 

Friend William.

                        I seat myself this eve to write you a few lines to let you know I am alive and in moderate health and I hope when this comes to hand it will find you enjoying like blessing. I received your kind and interesting letter a few days ago. I was truly glad to hear you was getting stout. good health is a great blessing. The boys are well generally. Mr Robb has the ague. Several of the boys have had the Small Pox. Old man Luce died with it a few days ago. he is the only / that has died out of Co. A. since I last wrote none discharged. we returned a few days since from an expedition on Red River we took a load of troops from Vicksburg there were 48 boats in all and near 10,000 men. On the 14^th we took Fort DeRussy with a loss of 5 men killed, 30 wounded. the loss of the enemy was about the same There were 300 prisoners and a large amount of amunition, 7 Seige guns and 4 field pieces. a few days after this we went to Alexandria. there 400 more prisoners were taken but without the loss of a man. There our boats were released from the expedition and I understand from ever transporting troops. the forces we took to Alexandria were joined by Genl. Banks with 16,000 men and they were soon going to / Sreveport where the enemy I understand are strongly fortified. The Woodford was left to take sick and wounded but I have since understood that she was sunk in attempting to cross the falls no lives were lost. The Steamer La Croix was boarded by the rebs a few days after we left and burnt. She was 80 miles below Alexandria. Red River is very small but deep. the water is very mudy. we had a terrible time coming down. the bends were so short and the water so rapid it was almost imposible to manage the boat. we would come in contact with the bank every time. Our boat was damaged considerable the Autocrat was the one we were on. Co A. was sent / on board the B. J. Adams yesterday. there are two other companies with us G. & K. our Quarters are aft of the wheels and I think will be more comfortable in summer than forward. I did not like to leave the Autocrat more on the account of the mail than any thing else. I presume we will fare better here we had coffee for dinner and meat for supper which is more than we got on the Autocrat. Our Co. is to be mounted. Co B. is to do the guard duty and police. Co A Caverly and C B Caverly, all on the Autocrat. we left Vicksburg this morning and I gess are on our way to forage. well friend I must close Remember me in your prayers you must write again soon. please excuse the imperfections of this. May God ever bless you my dear friend, no more but remain yours Truly   John H. Horn

 

Mr. W. O Albright.

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