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No 18
Algiers La Tuesday Nov 23rd 1863
My Dearly beloved but long neglected Wife
I should have written to you last Wednesday but we crossed the
Atchafulaya(?) river to Brashier City last Thursday and that day we
heard that the guerrillas were coming in above bayou boueff(?) to
tear up the RR between us and New Orleans. There were but few
soldiers in town so volunteers were called from the pioneer corps to
go along. I went. We marched up to Bayou La France(?) and found a
squad and drove them away just as they were getting ready to burn
the bridge. We only fired once on them and they run leaving three
dead and 11 wounded and 24 prisoners who gave themselves up. We had
3 wounded and none killed. When we got back I found there had been
another battle on the ____ near New Iberia in which our boys were
victorious 112 prisoners were brought in the day I got there. I do
not know the loss on either side. Sunday we were ordered to get
ready to come here but did not take the cars till (sic) 12 at night.
I got on top of a freight car and went to sleep and slept all the
way here 70 miles. What do you think of that? We were so busy
yesterday I did not have time to write to you and now I am so tired
and worn out I can barely hold my pencil. I have not had a letter
from you since the Regt left. The last was Oct 25th
almost one month ago. I shall probably get some as soon as we get up
with the regt. They left here for Texas on steam ships one week ago.
I saw Capt Smith here yesterday. He has been in Carrolton sick ever
since our first days march from Ber___ Ok. He looks pale yet. When
we will go from here I cant say. We are waiting for ships. I will
write to you again Sunday if we do not leave here. Our Orderly has
at last got his commission in a Negro regt, but has not yet left the
co as his com(?) had to be sent to Washington to be approved.
Chambers ordered me back to the co to take the Orderlys place when I
was at Berwick(?) but I told him I would rather wait till Smith came
to the Co. he might have some favorite he wished to promote. I guess
he hasn't though as his last favorite G. L. Chapman has
deserted. I expect by the time I reach Texas I shall go back
to the Co. You ask me if we are not going to have something better
than shelter tents, yes, as soon as wedge tents can be sent to Texas
we will have them. It is very warm here yet. Flowers are still in
full bloom, we can(?) bag(?) all sorts of garden ____ such as
radishes Lettuce ect and we still have mosquitoes. I know it is cold
north more for the river water is at least ten degrees colder than
it was in Sept when we left here. Ab Morgan is still in the M____
Hospital but Capt Smith has made out his discharge so I suppose he
will go home soon. I have got two months pay and have tried since I
commenced this letter to send it to you. I went over to NO and went
into an express office to send it but they would not unless I would
run all the risks my self as there are so many boats fired into now
I didn't feel like doing it. I took it to the soldiers saving bank
and deposited $25.00 for which I have a certificate and I will send
it to you as soon as any boy I know is going up. I lent Wm Henry
$5.00 he will send it to his father & he will give it to you.
You need not ask for it as I don't know when Wm will get his pay. I
have $27.00 by me which I shall keep for I dont want to get out of
money while I am in the service. I have a twenty dollar bill and 7
dollars in change. The seven I shall probably spend before pay day,
but the $20 I will keep by me. The 25 over in NO & the 5. Wm
will send you will make $20. You can use the money you have till you
get this. I will send it the first chance, but I dont want to risk
it now. A boat came in to day that was fired into by the rebs near
the mouth of red river, her pilot house was shot away and two
balls were shot clean through her. Our third brig has gone up to
drive them away. For the want of a letter from you to day I have
been reading over some of your old letters which I cary (sic) now as
I have my knapsack drawed (sic). I can never feel as thankful as I
should Hortense for all your love, I will try to love you all I
might to (sic). It does me proud to read your letters so full of
love for me, and I c shall consider my self well
paid for all I have suffered if I come home well and find you and my
dear ones alive and well. Wont it be a glorious day? Oh how I long
for it to come. You need not be afraid of my leaving you again for
as much as I hate this rebellion my hatred is not as strong as my
love for you. I will stay with you as long as I live. Take good care
of your health and the children for my sake. I wish I could come in
and see you to night but I cant. Oh dear, Give my love to all to
Ben(?) & Clara & Mother in particular for I am going to try
to love every body I am going to try to stop hating who do not do
just as I want them to. Good bye and good night., happy dreams I am
my dear wife your loving(?) husband
John M. Follett
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