Near Natchitoches
Camped in the Pine Woods
April 12th /64
Dear friends
Since I last wrote I have seene some pretty rough times.. We
left Natchitoches on the 6th two days March brought us to Pleasent Hill distance of 35 miles.. on the 7th our Cavely had a pretty tight skermish with the Rebs near Pleasent Hill but routed the Rebs.. on the morning of the 8th our Cavely advanced. the 13th Corps followed close in their rear & the 19th Corps 8 miles in our rear we drove the Rebs (Skermishing with them) untill about 12 oclock when the Rebs came to a halt.. the 13th corps were ordered up to support our Cavelry.. the Rebs formed their line and advanced on us. we were formed in line behind a rail fence. the first line of rebs that advanced we mowed down like grass. hardly a man escaped. but they having a large reserve formed another line of about 6 deep numbering about 8 to our one come upon us and drove us from our position.. the 19th Corps being so far in our rear the Rebs Killed wounded & captured a good shair of our corps before they could get up to help us.. we gave the rebs the best we had in the Shop but they being so much superior in force they drove us about 2 miles by that time the 19th corps came up and we then checked them.. we faught them from 2 oclock untill dark. and at dark the Rebs held the Battlefield, that nighte we retreated back to Pleasent Hall there we were reinforced by the 16th Corps.. our Corps being so Badly cut up were sent to the rear with the train.. the 19th & 16th Corps were put in position and on the 9th about 3 oclock the Rebs came up and atacted our force they faught untill most dark when the rebs retreated with a very heavy loss. the next day our forces moved back to Red River Landing 4 miles from Natchitoches where we are now camped.. I have not learned the loss on either side.. not even in the Regt. of our Co Henry Littick was Killed.. Wm McDonald & Philander Kelsey were wounded slightly & Jacob Freshwater & Henry Bardwell are missing.. everything is upside down most of the Boys lost their Knapsacks & some of them lost their Guns.. I did not loose anything. my Knapsack was on the wagon and it got out all right.. I cannot tell you much of the particulars now I am the only Noncommish in the Co for duty, and I have to act as Orderly.. the Capt is hurring me up to make out Regm lists for clothing So I will have to Stop. I am well and came out of the Battle all right but I cant tell how it happened.. I will write again as soon as I have a chance no more
Write soon
Lu Carhart