Camp Carter May 8/62

 

My Dear Cousin

                        I received yours of the 15^th April several days ago. I also received uncle Jame's, and Thomas' I had written to Uncle J just previous to receiving his, consequently I will not write to him at this time. Col Carter arrived about a week ago. he honored us with what he called "a talk" the day after his arrival; being just from Richmond, he gave us the state of affairs of our Country; he said the three prominent points of interest were at that time, the Peninsula in Virginia, Corinth Tenn, and New Orleans, which place has fallen / into the hands of the Enemy, and since then the forts below the City. Col Carter seemed to think that the Peninsula, and Corinth were of more importance than New Orleans; he said the Enemy was concentrating an immense army on the Peninsula, and that we were likewise doing so; but the enemy was ignorant of that fact: he said that should the enemy attack us there we would be almost certain of success owing to the obstacles, and obstructions which had been placed in his way, but should he not attack us, and commence entrenching himself, we we would be compelled to attack him, and those very obstacles would then be in / our own way; he however thought victory would crown our efforts, but I think from his manner, he was rather dubius, and I would not be astonished to hear before long of the loss of our Capital. The loss of New Orleans was a terrible blow to the South, it has created a gloom every where; but I believe it has aroused the indignation of the people to such an extent, that it will ultimately benefit us; there is hardly a man who would not raghter lay down his life, sooner than submit to Yankee Rule. We expect to start from here in a day or two, for Memphis; provided the Yankees will let us cross the Mississippi, which I suppose they have control / of before this. We are to be in Crockett Houston Co on the 17^th of this month, to elect officers for the Regiment; Col Carter has command of the Brigade, composed of three Regiments of Cavalry. I think he will soon be promoted to the rank of a Brigadier General. from Crockett we will go to Shrevesport La, and from there to Little Rock Ark. We are Company K in the first Regiment; I believe I would have prefered Co A in the Second Regiment. I may possibly be transfered to another C^o. the late conscript Act requires that a cavalry C^o shall not exceed in number eighty men, and our Co has considerably over 100. if the Co is reduced I suppose it will /

 

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have to be done by lott; in that case I would have to stand my chance with others. We have a little more rain here than we like; I wish you could have some of it there; there has been a slow but constant rain ever since noon yesterday, "most excellent growing weather" and I suppose feels well; but we who have a very poor tent prefer dry weather. The Infantry in this neighborhood is accumulating, companies are filling out, and I suppose Flournoy's, and Young's Regiments, will soon be ready to march. There is some talk of electing our Captain Major, in that case Fauntleroy would be our captain; I like him very much as a gentleman, and think he would make a good captain if he could have his health, which he has not had up to this time. he starts this evening to san antonio on business for the Colonel. For fear of losing Thomas' likeness, I will not have it sent to me at present; you are welcome to open it. Keep it for me, and should I be killed, or never go back, give it to the one of your family you think / Thomas likes best. Tell Carrie I will, (if I ever get money enough) keep my promise, and send her my likeness. We received yesterday fifteen dolls of our Bounty. My own Bounty is pledged to Connor, and I could not possibly spare any of the little I got from Thom Stintson to send home. we have the promise of more pay when we get to Little Rock. I will try to send a little money from there to uncle James. I thank you very much for your good advice, I know that I am going where my life will be exposed; and I truly desire to avoid vice, or evil deeds that would draw upon me the wrath of God; but I fear I cannot be as good as you would have me be; and you know I never believed in confession: still I hope with my own exertions to avoid wrong, and with the aid of your prayers, and those of other friends, that my soul will be saved should I die in war. there is so much vice here, that it would seem impossible to be piously inclined, but it disgusts me so much that I remain mostly aloof from others, and am looked upon by some as being excentrick, still I have a good many friends /

 

I have just heard that Finnegan passed through town, and as Gillcrease will over take him to morrow, I have concluded to send my letter letter by him. You will I expect think it a curious letter, but you must remember that paper is scarce here. I have already had to beg two pieces to finish this letter. You cannot imagine how glad I will be when this war is over, and when we will all be free again; O! how I long for that time, and how delited I will be when I can once more tread upon the sand of old Lamar; but I will never go back there, until I can carry back with me, money enough to pay all my debts; and as they amount to considerable, it will take me a long time after the war is ended to earn enough.

 

I hope Uncle James will succeed in disposing of my place at Salt Creek; it will relieve me very much. My little bay mare I branded with my brand, and left her in the hands of Connor; if I never go back she will help to pay my debts.

 

Our cook has quit us, and we now have to do our own cooking; two of us cook together a week at a time; Harry Willett and I cook together. there are eight persons in our mess; their names are A and F. A. Bailey, O. S. Howard, W. E. Throcmorton, M J Barlow, Fred Swain, H Willett and my self; F Swain is a Cincinnati Yankee /

 

The washing arrangement is what troubles me more than anything else, but I am beginning to get the hang of it: the last clothes I washed looked remarkably well considering who washed them. I need some dark colored clothes very much, and intend to get some the very first oppertunity. Please be careful not to let any one see my letters, and do not repeat anything I say about our company, or any member of our C^o: I do not want to be considered a telltale; and were Kate Teal, or others to hear of me writing about the co she might write back and secure me the above name. Tell Carrie I am sorry she sent that medal, the one I have is as much as I can wear, and I wear that to please her. If I can see Finnegan, I will send it back, if not I will send it by mail, the next time I write to Carrie. Tell John Henry I would like very much to see him. I hope he enjoys himself on Button. This being a rainy day I had an oppertunity of writing, and you see I have availed myself of that oppertunity; you need not read it the letter all at once, but can take a resting spell. It is nearly night, and I must bid you good bye. Give my love to Uncle James and all the Family and remember me to be your affectionate Cousin

 

Give my very best love                                                                       Richard T. Byrne

to Miss Kate and Miss

Meggie            RTB

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