New Iberia, La Nov 9th 1863
Dear Friends:
As I have a few lasure moments I will improve it by writing although I have rather sad news to write. perhaps you may hear of our sad misfortune before this reaches you, as I have had no chaunce to write untill now. I beleave I wrote to you when we were camped at Berris Landing ten miles East of Oppelosas. our Brigade marched from there the first day of Nov.. and camped Eight miles South of Oppelosas.. the rest of our corps camped four miles in the rear of us. the 19th Army Corps camped at Vermillionvile 16 miles in the rear of us. So we were 16 miles in advance of our mane force and four miles in front of all our troops.. the Second day of Nov. our Cavelry Pickets were fired into by some Rebel Cavelry Scouts. our Brigade was called out to give them a fight. but the Rebs skedadled and we returned to Camp. Gen Busbrage( our Division Commander) requested we should move back to our other force or have reenforcements, but we neither moved back or got reenforcements.. the third day of Nov. about 12 Oclock A.M. the Rebs came upon us driving in our Scouts and Pickets.. we formed in line and tried to repulse them but they were about five to one and we had to give back. we gave back about half a mile and they tried to flank us and had it not been for some of our corps hearing the muss and starting without order to healp us the hole Brigade would have been taken.. and it was most all taken as it was.. our troops came up just in time to keep them from entirely surrounding us.. as they came up we rallied and the Rebs haulted. we then turned upon them and drove them from the field.. before the fight our Brigade numbered about nine hundred and we lost in Killed wounded and taken Prisoner over six hundred. 117 from our Regt 12 from our Co. about 75 left in the Regt 16 in our Co. after the Killed and wounded were taken care of what were left of us went back to Vermillionville staid there two days and went to New Iberia where we are now camped. Isaac white was the only one killed in our Co. he was right by my side and was hit soon after the engagement comenced. he was shot with a rifle ball in the right brest and died in a few moments. two others with myself tried to cary him from the field but the enemy advanced so fast we had to leave him to make our escape.. after the enemy was repulsed we found his body and burried it in as good stile as circumstances would permit. William Flagg & Capt. Kimball are among the Prisoners taken. the Rebs distroyed most all our camp Equipage.. but uncle Sam will furnish us again.. we have drawn some Blankets today.. After the Battle I found my knapsack but it was empty.. but I did not care so much for that. I think I did pretty well to get out my self. the Bullets flew thick and fast all around me but I got out Safe. i received a letter from you yesterday dated Oct 11th was glad to hear from you.. You requested me to give my advise about selling out.. You must do as you think best If I was a home could tell you better what I would do Must close for now. Lu Carhart
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they are fortifying at this place. I expect we will stay here some time. My best respects to all the friends from your old correspondent. Lu Carhart.