Letter from Willie to Parents, October 22 & 25, 1863#

Bonnet Carre, Oct 22, 1863

Dear Parents,

I have been on picket for three days and came in yesterday. While on picket George Fanjoy came out to see me, bringing three letters, two from you and one from Jamaica. Your first letter speaks of your going to Riker’s Island to see Curner and it was very near certain of the conscripts coming. You speak of the conversation you had with Capt. Howe. I expect that those women that were with you must have given him a good talking to. You say he tries to exonerate the officers of the Regiment in the three-year affair. I don’t think the government would have known that there were any three-year men in the Regiment if the officers did not take particular pains to let them know it. Well, it is very evident that the conscripts are coming but I don’t think the Major has received any orders to hold the three-year men. Your note of the Ninth saying the Major was to receive a letter which would be the means of my discharge was received on the same mail as soon as I came in from picket. I went to see him. He said he had received the letter from Mark Hoit requesting the discharges of James and myself. He said the power did not lay with him of giving discharges. I had a long talk with him. He said he would do all he could for me. He said I had always done my duty as a soldier and a gentleman. I then began to tell him of my wrongs and gave him some pretty strong talk. I finally worked on his sympathies which induced him finally to offer me a commission. He smiled and looked in my face thinking he had struck the nail on the head. I took the offer very indifferently. I thought it the best policy and told him I would think about it. Now what do you think of that – jumping all the corporals and sergeants – to be a commissioned officer when I stand a good chance of leaving the service at any time? Bully for me! I know it would be all right. I will get the best of them yet. Mother in her letter was very sanguine about our coming home. I knew it was not so easy getting out of the service. Things look certain ahead and if it comes to the worst I will accept the commission. He intends to put the conscripts through a heavy drill of six

hours a day and thinks he will make a good Regiment of it. You must not let it worry you for it is the Lord’s work. I had faith to believe that my prayers with you would not be in vain. It has been a great disappointment to me but the Lord has given me strength according to my day and I will still put my trust in him, knowing that his promises are sure. You don’t know the comfort I have had of late, for how can I doubt his goodness? What a precious thing to have such a friend when everything looks dark. Heb. 4.16. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Although it is bad to deceive the men so, yet it might be worse. Let us look on the bright side of things and it will turn out all right – For everything works together for good to them that love God. I have met the thing boldly and was able to stand it with Christian fortitude. The anxiety of having the thing unsettled was very hard for the men. We have been in an unsettled state for two or three months not knowing whether we were going home or not. I have not seen James within two weeks but the Major said he saw him in New Orleans so he is all right. If I have to stay I will try to get home in the winter on a furlough. We have delightful weather now but the mosquitoes are very thick on picket but don’t trouble much in camp. The Major thinks the Regiment will remain here during the winter drilling the men. I was out in a cotton field the other day and picked some cotton balls. I will try to get them home if I can. The oranges are getting ripe. War news as well as all others are dull. Gen. Banks is massing a large army at Brashear City to march through the Fash country to Texas. I hope he will take force enough to push everything before him and make sure work. George Fanjoy, DeGraw, and Vale are well.

Oct. 25th

I will now write a few more lines in my letter. There has been quite an excitement in camp this week. The conscripts have arrived in camp. I saw Curner & Coxson and got those handkerchiefs. They smelled very sweet. They said that you’d been there on the Island and you look well. I gave one of them to James who was up to see me. He has passed a brilliant examination and expects to get his commission right away. He looks well. His Regiment is on board the transport. I believe he is going to Texas. He managed to stay behind to make sure of his commission. Our Regiment has not started yet but expects to start any day. The expedition takes all the transports they can get. That’s what detains the Regiment. It is very near certain that the three-year men will be kept, but yet I think it will turn out all right for me. I am not discouraged and will try to get my commission as soon as the Regiment leaves. I think there will be quite a time when they separate the Regt. They are drilling the conscripts four hours a day. I am enjoying good health and putting my trust in the Lord. George and I are both writing. The men are standing around the fires talking. The Major must have had influential friends to have kept the Regt and gotten the conscripts but God will judge his acts. I will still do my duty and try to live a Christian life and I know things will work around all right. I will not have to remind you to pray for me for I know that you have been praying for me. Have faith and they will yet be answered. Tell Durlyn that I am pleased that he is getting along with his studies and John that he must not get the War Fever and enlist. I am glad that he is not in the army. Give my respects to all inquiring friends and I remain your affectionate son,

Willie