Mobile, Ala, May 20th /65
Dear Sister:
It has been some time since I heard from you. I have been anxiously looking for a letter but it appears they do not attend to the mail affairs as they should do. I suppose it is accaisioned by there being so much other business in regard to national affairs on hand that they cannot well attend to it. Some are so much excited they hardly Know what they are about.. but the majority of affairs seeme to be working about right. the war is about wound up and everything seems to work in our favor.. the capture of old Jeff is a pretty nice affair. rather more than I expected. I thought the old fellow would manage to get into Texas, but it appears he could not. I beleave it was ordained by a being superior to man that he should not escape after being the cause of so much blood shed and suffering in the land. I beleave if he was in the hands of those that were a short time ago his supporters they would deal more severe with him than what our authorities will probably do. the major part of the Rebels are beginning to see how they have been misled.. I like very well the way President Johnson talks of the Rebel leaders. he contends that the instituters of this Rebelion should be punished for high Treason. I think that they should be. it is supprising to see how Ignorant the majorety of the (as they have called them selves) Southern Shivalry are. many of them cannot read nor write. and know nothing of what is going on only what they see. they know nothing of affairs by what they have been told. it is astonishing to find how they have been lied to by the prominant Rebels.. when the 3rd Div was at McIntaches Bluff our Brig went out on a two days Scout. we went out about 15 miles from the Bluffs and the ciizens along where we passed did not yet know that we had taken Fort Morgan. thus it is with many of them. they have been made to beleave they were fighting for their homes and firesides, their liberty.. but where are they now. many that were wealthy before the war now are compeled to draw rations from the U.S. comissary.. what hard money there was in the south is now in the hands of those that got up the Rebelion.. and the Confederate Scrip being worthless. the majorety of the south are dependant upon the mercy of the Federal Government. Many of the Paroled men now in Mobile have not got a change of clothes are obliged to wear their Rebel uniform which if they complied with the order would have to despence with. There is not as much prospect of our going to Texas now as there was a few days ago. its reported that Kirby Smith has been assainated, but no thing official. we are still in camp near Mobile. the weather is very warm but our duty is light. I was in the City at the Baptist Church last Sunday. there was a good sised congregation composed of Citizens & Federal Soldiers. very few Rebel soldiers.. we were addressed by the Paster of the church. he said but little of national affairs. I have written over the sheet and will have to conclude. write soon and oblige. Lucius Carhart.
(Continued across top of first page above heading.)
P.S. I would not be supprised if we would get home before our time expires but we cannot tell how it will work. I hope we may. if old Kirby is dead & his army surrenders I think we will go home and fast as we can get transportation. my respects to all tell Orve to be a good boy and mind his Poppy. Almeda mind the advise of Mother as you grow in society. from your Brother and one who wishes you to do well. L.C.
1st Brig 3rd Div 13th AC