Jan 17″64 Dear Friends: I am still alive and well. Still Camped at the place where we first landed in Texas. near the mouth of Matagarda Bay opposite Matagorda island. you can see where we are by looking at the map. the name of the Port is Cavallo.. perhaps you have read something about our affairs. you will see in the De(l)aware Gazett something about our expedition. how finely we were progressing. that army that were camped here are all moving on up the Bay except our Division.. I expect we will make a strike at Galveston before long.. there are said to be 12 thousand Rebs at that place. I think the intention is to try and drive them in to Galveston and Siege them out.. Melve Flagg told me the other day that we had raised to Regts of Cavelry at Brownsville since our forces landed there. most of them went to Mexico when the war broke out and since our forces landed and took possion they have come back and enlisted. for that reason I think they will do good service. the Texas troops are said to be the best there are in the confederate army and if we can gain Texas and what troops there are on this side of the river I think the Rebel hopes are rather slim. I spoke of Melve. he is with Corps HdQrs which were at brownsville for a while. they are now camped here on the Point.. I understand that part of our Boys that were taken Prisoners are exchanged and the others paroled. and are all at New Orleans. I expect those that are exchanged will be here with us in a few days. I understand Will Flagg is of the number exchanged. there has nothing of much importance transpired since we came here only we were rather short for Rations three or four days. but it would not have happened had it not been for the Suttlers.. on the Boats that brought rations there were a lot of suttler stores smuggled in and brought through as comissaries. Gen Washborn saw we were getting short for rations and he said as they (the suttlers stores) were brought as commissaries he would use them as such. so he had them distributed among us.. there was said to be about ten thousand Dollars worth. “bore (?) on the suttlers.. at present Gen Dana is comdg the 13″ Corps.. and Gen Benton Comdys the 1” Brigade.. there are now six Regts in our Brigade. the 60th & 67th Ind. 23rd Wisc, 19th Ky..83rd & 96th Ohio, the 83rd are not with us now they are said to be on Shifs Island. put there for their bad conduct while at New Orleans. today is Sunday a very pleasent day.. the winter is said to be about over here. we had several pretty Cold days.. but is now warm and pleasent.. we are where we get the breases of the gulf which is said to be very healthy.. I have not received any letters from you since I last wrote. but I thought I would write wheather I got any or not.. there was a male came in last night but none for me. in my last letter I spoke of Sending you a record of Co. G by express. You will find it by going to the eexpress Agent at Delaware. I told the express Agent to keep it untill called for.. it is in a roll. I have got some of the meanest Ink I ever saw.. I can hardly make a mark.. I guess I will stop trying.. the boys are well that are with the Co.. give my best respects to all the friends.. Yours with respect. write soon from Lu. Carhart.