New Ibera, La.. Nov 28th 1863
Father, Mother, Brother, & Sister
I received a letter from Almeda about one week ago dated 31st of Oct.. also one from Almeda and Mother combined this morning dated Nov. 9th 1863. I have just come off from inspection.. today the weather is rather disagreeable. it rained last night and this morning it is chilly & blustry. today is the first we have done anything in the way of inspection drilling or even having roll call since the fight.. there was ninety of the Regt out on inspection this morning including officers. Yesterday morning I with five other from our Co was detaled to guard a forage train. in all that was detaled from the Division was about five hundred.. a train of wagons of about fifty.. we crossed the Bayou at New Ibera & went out into the country about 12 miles.. we stoped at a plantation of which was said to be Owned by an old fellow that was Capt of a Gasnilly gang of about two hundred that have often fired at our boats while passing up and down the bayou.. on going into the house we found the table very neatly set for six and nobody to be found except the woman of the house. Supposing it to be fixed for the Old Capt and some of gang, the boys pitched in. and the good things that were on the table were soon deminished. the wagons were loaded with corn hay and corn blades etc for the Division. the boys then foraged for them Selves. they piled on to the wagons sacks of sweet potatoes fat hogs sheep turkeys geese & chickens any amount of shugar we then made our way back to camp. we live first rate when we have a chance to forage. Our Army haveing to live on Corn meal and Beef is altogether a misstake.. we have any amount of beef this time but I have not seen any corn meal but once since we have been out on this expedition and that was in the Rebel camp near Oppelosas where the Rebs had to leave so quick they could not take it with them most of the time we have all we want to eat.. We have a Baker in our Regt and a Bakeoven of sheet tin that is fixed on wheels that we have with us all the time and we draw light Bread every day. also salt pork, fresh beef, Beans, soap, candles, & part of the time we draw potatoes. the Rebel force that were in front of us are supposed to be gone, they are concentrating their force at some other point.. Gen Bankes has affected a landing at Sabine pass, Texas and took the Rebs on rather a surprise. they were not looking for him in that direction.. I understand since he has landed he had got about five thousand recruits.. 3000 negroes & 2000 Texans. I think the Rebs are about plaid out in this part of the wourld. they are very destitute for clothing.. the Rebs that we fought the other day were very poorly dressed. Our troops here at New Ibera are fixing up sort of winter quarters and are liveing as finely as could be expected.. although it seems rather lonesome since the fight our Regt being so small. I beleave they are going to send home
(following written across top of first page) one from each Co. of our Regt to recruit for the Regt.