Letter from James to Mother, September 3, 1864#

Boca Chica, Texas

Sept. 3rd 1864

Dear Mother,

The long looked for mail arrived this morning; I received one letter and five papers from home. There are some back letters on the way which I have not yet received. The letters contained the intelligence that you had received my money all right; it was about time as I sent it last June. The Government owes me four months pay now, they say they are short of funds at New Orleans. You may wonder why I don’t indulge in more talk (or writing) about the war; Patriots exterminating the Rebs and all that sort of thing. The fact of it is, it is not my style; that will do very well for newspaper correspondence, which is all right and proper to keep the public up to the fighting point, inducing them to come down with the money and men. You will remember I told you three months ago when Grant was taking for Richmond by the way of the Rapidan, that there would probably be another call for troops. I see by the papers that 500,000 men are to be got someway by September (this month). I suppose all this is old to you, you have indulged in hopes I see by your letters that this war will be ended soon. I do not think so though I do not think there will be another call for troops; the troops we will have in the field by November that they will gradually fall back but I do not hope for peace, yet maybe years longer this slaughter continues. What is the earnest wish of every soldier that I have spoken with, is that the U.S. may recruit or draft every Black man suitable for a soldier. They want more drill to make soldiers of them than White men do, but the great problem has been solved; they will make not as good as White men perhaps, but they will do. I am much pleased to se that they are forcing them into the army in all directions; give them six months hard drill, say about six hours a day, except Saturday and Sunday, and they will be ready in the Spring to run over the South. I received Will’s package of tea; it was just enough for tea for our mess of three, and I also got Will circular, it is got up in good taste. I am glad that the boys are getting along in the Store and I am in hopes that Father will keep his health. I suppose his business is dull now,

everybody in the country I suppose; I believe the Spring and Fall are the best times for his business. I think Father will make a good thing of it with the real estate business he has been at it so long that he has the confidence of the business men and knows all the points of the trade. And then in the prospect of them being a large emigration from Europe after this war, which may help business, they are taking stores away from this place as fast as they send transportation, which is not very fast. It seems to be the impression that we will all leave here before the end of this month but nothing certain is known. I am in hopes that they will send us to New Orleans for a while at least. There seems to be a hitch somewhere about our consolidation that I wrote you of. We were consolidating under an order from General Herron; before it was completed, then came an order from General Conby suspending it and making some alterations. So things remain in “Status quo” at present, it will be decided when we get to New Orleans I hope. If they should decide to muster out the extra Officers, I think I should be an extra, as I would like to get out this fall. If I have to stay I will make the best of it. I cannot complain, I have had a pretty good time. I am not over sanguine of my being able to get home and I do not wish to excite any false hopes in you; still there is a chance, though a small one, as officers and men are scarce and they want them all in the army. By the way, is Will not liable to be drafted if he keeps out, it will be by sharp practice as it is necessary to serve in the U.S. Army or Navy two years in order to be exempt from the draft, as I understand the matter. I hope he will keep out as he has a chance now of getting along. The men are dying fast from scurvy, we lose about twelve a week, have averaged that for the last month and our immediate removal or a supply of vegetation is all that will save the men remnant of the Regiment. They probably thought we would be away from here before then or the Sanitary Committee or Commission would have sent us a supply. My health is very good due in great measure to friends I have got among the Native Rebel Ladies at that who have kept me supplied with vegetables, but since my escape some time since the Calvary, my communication has been cut off. I suppose the Rebel Officers are receiving their kind attentions now. We manage to live in pretty good style though, plenty of can fruits and meats if you are in mind to pay for them; one dollar a can and then we have other things to keep off the scurvy.

The French are in possession of Bagdad and have been for some time; they tried to get Matamoras but were not strong enough. The French and Rebels are hand and glove and sympathize with one another. The Mexicans are inclined toward us in hopes that we will help them whelp the French. Reports have come in that the General Contina (Mexican) and the French had a fight this morning, result not known. It is probably in favor of the Mexicans, as the French were in small force.

It does me good to read the account of baseball matches; it recalls old times. I see Will belongs to the Eckfords; he will be able to play a match next Summer, I suppose. I will try and be on hand to see some of his batting, he always was a heavy batter.

I received the paper with the account of the Exchange of the old Officers of the 176 Regiment, they had a hard time of it. Now they will appreciate home. News has come of the surrender of Mobile, but only as a rumor. I hope it can be true, it will be such a splendid base I suppose for Sherman. I am expecting to hear of the fall of Atlanta by the next mail, everything looks favorable.

Yours Affectionately,

James D. Wade

Direct your letters the same as usual

87 U.S. corps – New Orleans or elsewhere