Category: Lucius Carhart Civil War Letters

Grand Ecore Louisiana
April 14 ’64
Dear Friends
This afternoon seems a little more quiet than it has for several days past. I wrote a few lines to you on the 2nd and told you something about our affairs of the past week. but did not have time to write very much. I thought I would try and tell you more about it this afternoon.
As I stated before we left i Natchitoches the 6th our Cavelry force in advance numbering about 10 thousand.. the 13th Corps or a detachment of the 13th Corps, two Divisions the 3rd & 4th numbering about six thousand followed up the Cavelry. a detachment of the 19th Corps numbering about 10 thousand followed in our rear.. about 10 oclock on the 7th our Cavelry had a pretty tight skirmish with the Rebs at pleasant Hills 35 miles from Natchitoches but routed them. about 2 i we marched up and camped where the Cavelry had been fighting. the Cavelry went on and camped about 4 miles in advance.. about 5 oclock the 19th Corps came up and camped near us the 13th Corps were ordered and started at 4 o clock on the morning of the 8th.. the 96 was ordered to go behind the train as Guards.. after 
we had got out 8 miles the 19th Corps started.. The Cavelry went in advance of us skermishing with the Rebs. but they kept falling back untill about noon when the came to hoult formed a line and made a charge on our Cavelry. they being Superior in force and much the best position they drove our Cavelry back about half a mile. the 13th Crops being clost behind formed in line. orders were sent back to us and we went up on double quick we being about 4 miles back. our wagon train was about 8 miles long and we were about the middle of the train.. when we got up to where our line was formed the 96th was placed behind a rail fence and soon after we got our position the Rebs made another charge.. our lines were about 4 hundred yards apart with a cornfield between us both lines the Rebs & ours were formed right in the edge of the woods on either side of the cornfield.. they tried to charge acrost the cornfield and there was not a man that came out in front of us that got more than two thirds acrost the field we cut them down like grass.. what few were not killed or wounded skedaddled back to the woods.. had their line been no longer than ours we could have whipped them all to peices but their line being so much longer they came in on our flank and were about to surround us and we were ordered to fall back. we fell back about half a mile and formed another line and fought them untill the 19th Corps came up and reenforced us and we caused them to fall back to their old line and it was then dark and they did not try it again that night.. the fight commenced about 2 oclock and it was 6 oclock before the 19th Corps came up to help us.. they stoped about 8 miles in our rear and went in to camp.. if they had been up with us as they aught to have been we could have flaxed out the Rebs.. the Country after we left Natchitoches was most all Pine woods hardly any cleared. the way is a brack cut through the woods. and at the time of the fight our wagon train was (the advance wagons) clear up to where we commenced to fight and there was no chance for them to turn round and go to the rear so the Rebs took a good many of our wagons.. that night after the fight we went back to pleasent Hills leaving our dead & wounded on the field.. at pleasent Hills we were reenforced by the 16th Corps or a detachment of it numbering 10 thousand commanded by Gen. A. J. Smith our old Division Commander the 13th Corps was comdg by Gen Ransom, the 19th Corps was comdy by Gen Emery and both Corps were comdy by Gen Franklin the Cavelry forces was comdy by Gen Sell and the hole thing was comdy by Gen Banks in Person.. Gen A.J. Smith’s expedition was got up at Vicksburg and he was on Red River at the time of our fight and heard how the thing was going and came to help us and had it not been for him we would have been captured (I mean Banks hole Army) because the night after the fight on the 8th the Rebs were reenforced 8 thousand and cackulated to give us a big fight the next day.. but we met Smith at Pleasent Hill and he put his force in position for an atack and Gen Banks tried to tell him how to form his lines and Smith told him that he would do as he was a mind to do or he would withdraw his force.. and Banks had to let him do as he was a mind to.. he got things fixed up to suit him and about 3 oclock the Rebs cam in on him and he faught them untill most night when he got the Rebs started to retreat and chased them 
about 8 miles. Smith lost very few men compared with the Rebs loss. 
Smith had his artilery placed so as to have a cross fire on the Rebs and when they would charge up he would lay them in winrows.. the rebs had but very little artilery.. the Red were doped with whiskey & Gunpowder and they were like raveing mad men they would charge up on the artilery and it would mow them down and they would not seem to mind it.
After the fight at Pleasent Hills we moved back to or near Grand Ecore Red River Landing 4 miles from Natchitoches.. the 13th & 19th Corps have been fortifying here and we now have a pretty strong line of breastworks the River at this place takes a pretty large bend and our line runs from the River above the landing to the River below the Gunboats on the River at each end of the line So we have a pretty good works here A.J. Smith with his force has gone acrost and up the other Side of the River.. Gen Banks rendered his thanks to Gen Smith for Saveing his army.. Smith told him he did not want any thanks all he wanted was to see the 13th Corps have fare flag. if we had Gen Smith to Comdg the expedition we would have been in Shreveport by this time.. they are all down on Banks. the Rebs say his is as good a Quarter master as they want.. before the fight Col (Vance, our Col) was comdg the 2nd Brigd. he was wounded and fell in the Enemy’s hands and tis thought that 
he died soon after he was wounded as he was hit in the Breast and could hardly speak when we left him.. Capt. Coulter was wounded in the Knee and fell in the Enemies hands.. Gen Ransome was wounded in the Knee but was got off the field and is now doing very well. Henry Littick of our Co is supposed to be killed at least he was wounded and fell in the Enemies hands. Jacob Freshwater was also wounded and the Rebs got him. Henry Bardwell & Crosby Lowry are missing.. Wm McDonald & Philander Kelsey were both wounded in the neck slightly. they are doing well. I am situated very poorly to write. perhaps you will see an account of the affair and learn more than I can tell.. I will not try to tell the loss on either side for I cannot get a true account of it.. I know very well that I was where I dont wish to be again very soon. although I came out all right but how it hapened is more than I can tell.

Envelope postmarked Cairo, Ill Mar 2, 186(4?) Test Hospital Feb 22nd
Dear Friends:
I seat myself this afternoon to pen a few lines to let you know I am still alive & well. tis the first chance I have had for some time. I have been very busy the past week. I am now driving Ambulance for the Hospital & it keeps me busy most of the time. today it is raining consequently i have not so much to do. I have to drive down to HeadQuarters twice a day about 3/5 of a mile from the Hospital. & also haul rations for the Hospital & my horses & haul those that are sick to the Hospital & those that are dead to the graveyard..HeHe. We have but four white Patients at our Hospital now, but about two hundred yards from us is a shanty with eighteen niggers in it with the small pox. there are a hole lot of nigger families on the Island & the small pox has got among them & they cannot get it abated.. there is one that brakes out with it about every other day & one that goes to the grave yard about as often..
I have not heard direct from the Battalion since they left but I understand they are in Florida some place. I suppose I had aught to be with them but I am not as stout & cannot stand as much hard fare as I could before I was sick.. I have a good place to stay here. A good tent to stay in, a good bed to sleep in, & plenty to eat.. there has to be someone fill the place I am filling & I dont know but it might as well be me as anyone.. I have been detailed by the Surgeon so I expect I will have to stay untill he sees fit to let me go.. times are very dul.. no news.. but I expect there will be some stirring sort of time in Dixie afterwhile. I beleave our army is getting in about the right shape to wind this war up this summer. however time will tell..
I have not received a letter from you since the 2nd of this month.. On the 7th I wrote a few lines to you and told you to direct you letters to the Hospital which i suppose you have got by this time.. when you write again please send me a few Postage stamps. I am out of money & they cannot be got without money. We have not been paid since we were at Baton Rouge no more at present write often. Your Lucius Carhart direct to Test Hospital White River Landing Ark

June 15th 63 Camped in the rear of Vicksburg

Dear Friends:
This is a very warm day. we are camped in a hollow about 800 yards from a Rebel Fort.. the Country here is very Rough.. deep hollows & high Ridges. It is not as healthy here as it was in Louisiana. There are good many having the Chills & Feaver.. nothing dangerous.. I have had 2 or 3 Chills.. but have got rid of them now.
We have not taken Vicsburg yet.. things are about the same they were two weeks ago but the Rebs cannot stand it allways.. They have got to give up some time.. for they are completley surrounded.. our men keep hectering them all the time.. by shelling them.. they scarcely get a chance to shoot a Gun (that 
is a big Gun) the operations here seem to stur the hole armey.. both Northern & Southern.
it is reported that Gen Johnson is gethering a force and going to atact us in the Rear.. but I think he will fail to accomplish anthing.. for we have a larg force to protect us in that direction.. our men are fortifying all the time.
I wish you could see how we are situated here. I cannot discribe it as it is fixed.. the Rebel forts are in the shape of a horseshoe open to the rear.. rite to the rear of these forts is another fort that comands the first one.. so if our men make a charge and take the first forts the Rebs will fall Back to their other forts.. and they will be of no use to us.. to take from them… they have got it fixed up about right.. but I am afraid they will have to give it all up..
I have just been into the Rifle pit where I could see the 17th Battery fire into the fort.. the Rebs tried to fire one of their Guns this afternoon and the 17th Battery just Pluged the shell rit into the port holes made the …… fly ……. the Rebs could not fire a shot. there are some of the Rebs that have come over to our lines.. they Report that our shells kill & wound about one hundred a day.. and they kill and wound scarcely any of our 
men.. there is no one hurt of our Regt yet by the Rebs.. since we have been here..
they had some pretty hard fighting Back at Port Gibson, Champion Hill & Black River Bridge.. but since they have been here we have lost very few.
I got a letter from you the other night dated May 31st. You said crops looked well. there is not much down here to look.. when we left Perkins Plantation 2 weeks ago corn was about as high as a mans head. about 5 feet. 
times are rather hard. we do not draw full rations.. we have to by considerable and things are very high.. Chees 50 cts pr lbs.. butter 50 cts lb.. Eggs 50 cts pr dozen.. five cts loafs Bread 20 cts penny cakes two for 5 cts. dried apples 20 cts lbs. it costs money to live. while we were at Perkins Plantation we lived first rate. the Dewberries growed there by the Bushel.. we gathered them and we drew Flour.. and we made pied by the holesale.. but since we come up here we have to stay in this hollow and have no chance to gether anything..
You wanted to know if I thought it was safe to express some butter. There is no ofice here that I can get to very handy. and I guess it would be of no use to try to send any.
(No signature. Is there another page?)

No envelope, written in pencil
In the wilderness of La.
October 24, 1864

Dear Friends:
I received a letter from mother the 24th dated October 2nd. I was much pleased to hear from you for it had been a good while since I had heard. I suppose the cause of my not getting your mail sooner is because the male that comes down the river for the 96th does not go to New Orleans any more. it is stoped & distributed at Natchez. therefore the mail for me goes by the way of New York and stopes at Orleans and it lays there some time before it is forwarded. it is lately that it has been handled in this way. Therefore it will be better for you to send your letters down the River again. before we came up to Morganza I got my mail sooner to come by York but not so now.
On the 18th of Oct our Brigade and 2 Regt of Cavelry were ordered out on a 5 days expediton. we marched out to Morgan’s Landing on the Asahafalya River 15 miles from Morganza. found the Rebs to be entrenched on the other side of the River. We planted 2 peaces of artillery in the wedge of the woods clost to the river & threw over a few shots & the Rebs replyed with musketry.. whenever any of us would show our selves they would shoot at us and we would do the same by them untill yesterday Eve were ordered not to shoot
the Rebs continued to shooting for a while & would once in while show themselves. finely we hollowed and told them they need not be afraid for we were ordered to not shoot. In a little while they told us they had the same orders & they came out of their rifle pits & we went out on the bank & we stood & talked about two hours. The Rebs then went back into their hole and we went Back puled up stakes and moved back about 3 miles in the woods. I understand they are exchanging prisoners up at Simsport about 15 miles above here. I expect we will go back to the Bend in a day or two. They say the mail goes out in a few minutes so I will have to stop.. I will write when I get back to the Bend. Please send them things by John Beader if he comes to the Regt. the boys & myself are swell. Direct your letters in this way.
Lucius Carhart
Co “G” 96th Regt O.V.I.
Morganzia LA

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

Natchitoches. La.
April 4th /64
Dear friends
In great haste I write a few lines to you this morning.. as I have but a few minutes to write. there is a person going to Hd-Quarters and I can send a few lines by him if I have it ready in a short time & can therefore get it mailed..
We are now camped at or near Natchitoches Louisiana Eighty miles from Alexandra where I wrote before. our Cavelry have had some Skirmishing with the Rebs but no regular engegement.. they have catured quite a number of Rebs including one Brig General. 
the Rebs keep running do not make any stand.. we are within 100 miles of Shreveport.. the Rebs have it fortified there pretty stong.. but I dont think there will be much trouble in takeing the place the Rebs are discouraged and will not fight.. we went
in to camp here day before yesterday and are staying here for the purpose of drawing clothing and recruiting up a little and then will march on I expect.. the boys are well and in good spirits I will have to stop.. I have not got a letter from you for some time.. but I expect they will come along after while.. write 
soon..
Yours truly
Lucius Carhart

Alexandra, Louisiana
March 26, /64
Dear friends:
This day finds me near Alexandra in good Health and good Spririts but somewhat weary & tired from the long march which we have accomplished in the past two weeks.. we arrived in the 
vicinity of Alexandra after a march of 11 days which was two hundred miles.. we marched 11 days in a Rebel land without communication and when got in to the vicinity of Alexandra (at which place we expected to have a fight) we met our troops who informed us that the place had been taken Several days before by a force that went up Red River under Gen A. J. Smith. our troops (with the help of the Gun boats) routed the Rebs after about one hours fight.. our loss was light.. Six Killed & 30 wounded.. we took about 400 Rebel Cavelry Prisoners & 4 pieces of artilery.. 
Gen Smith with his force have gone on up the River towards Shrievesport & we expect to follow them in a few days.. we had a very good time on our March so far.. I never stood it better to march in my life I caried my Knapsack through except three days when the roads were very good and all the Regt got them halled.. we came the same road that we marched over when we were out last fall. that is a far as Oppelousas.. we passed over the old Battlefield but did not have time to look round much.. the Rebs do not seem much inclined to fight. I think they will soon be cleaned out on this side of the River. I guess I will have to 
stop for this time the male is going out in a few minutes. and my 
pen is so mean I can hardly make a mark.. when I was at N.O. [New Orleans] I got me a Gold pen and it was a good one worked first rate untill I spoiled it. I broke the diamonds of so it is a miserable thing now my health is good. never was better in the wourld.. we have lived first rate while on the march all the 
fres beef we wanted & Sugar. I will close write soon
Lu. Carhart

Carrollton Louisiana — Sept. 17, ’63
near New Orleans
Dear Friends
I received a letter from you the other day dated at one place Augst 18 in another Agust 23 another Sept 30th. I was very glad to hear how things were mooving.. I would like to be up there a while to see how they look wearing their Butternuts.. I expect I would get into a muss for I would pull of their Butternuts from them.. It would make no diference if it was a Girl. I thing Lousa Manter is getting rather Bold.. I should think the Girls would hoot her out of Society.. I would not belong to that party if nothing more than because she belongs.. it they had a few more like Capt. Carpenter in Ohio they would disperce with the Butternuts.. I suppose you know about his whipping Horace Hubbard & Old Starman Boy.. the best thing that ever happened in Delaware.. Capt Carpenter is going to scout for our troops.. his is one of the best scouts there is in the Army.. he was here to see some of the Boys in our Company the other day..
I suppose they had a great time at the Picnic at Garys.. Isaac White said he saw Almeda & Mother there.. I should like to have been with you. I am very sorry that you have been misenformed in regard to my position.. you said in your letter that you understood that I was Sergeant..it is faulse. nothing of it..at 
all..
it seems that Father is getting kinder Boyish you said in your letter that he went out hunting the other afternoon and did not get Back in time to go to the Union League. I expect he took my Dog to hassle the Rabbits. you must take good care of my dog Frank, and feed him well. You spoke of going to a …Picnic and having a great time.. I expect we have more going on here every day.. Carrollton is about 5 miles from New Orleans there is a railroad that runs from one to the other and there is a train that runs every hour. there are 3 or 4 stopping places between Carrollton and Orleans.. we are camped about 1/2 a mile from Carrollton clost to the stations where the train stops. we drill one hour in the morning & one in the Evening in Bayonet & Exorcise in the middle of day and we have nothing to do but to ride round in the cars. we get on the cars at the station and go to Carrollton free. got to Orleans for 10 cts. there is a railroad runs to Lake Ponchertrain from Carrollton 10 cts. to go there.. we get a good many rides on the cars. but they dont get much for it. the 13th Army Crops have all moved from here but our Division it is thought we will stay here for a while.. we are going to draw new Tents. Ellie Finley has been detaled to the Pioneer Company.. the Boys withe me are well and lively. there are three of us left of the old mess.
(Continued at top of first page)
I got the letter you sent the Postage stamps in. You need not 
send any more now. I can by them here.

Vicksburg Aug 17th /63

I received a letter dated July 29th some time ago.. I have written three letters since we returned from Jackson. and one while at Jack– and have received four.. I have nothing particular to write times are dull. every thing quiet.. we are still in the same camp near Vicksburg. the weather is very warm.. we have to keep in the shade in the middle of the day.. we drill one hour in the morning and have Dress perade in the Evening.. it is thought we will go to New Orleans this week. and perhaps from there to Mobile.. my health is very good. the boys are pretty well, what are left.. there are only four of us now from the 16 we had in Our Mess.. Will Flagg, Ell Finley, Jo Griggs & my Self.. Lem Roloson started home day before yesterday with his Discharge. he was very poorly.. I should have sent some money by him if he had been able to cary it. but he had all he could do to cary him Self.. Bill Neffus Came to the Company day before yesterday. when we were at Perkins Plantation he was detailed to guard Prisoners up the River and 
when he got to St. Louis he thought he would go home he has been gone untill now.. he tells some pretty hard tales about the folks about Delaware.. he says the copperheads do about as they please. he says they dress in butternut colored clothes and ware butternuts for buttins. if you see a lady with a butternut 
Brestpin tell her that I said she had better stick it in her A.. 
tell them Copperheaded butternut Colored traitor Devils they had not better come here and show their Colors or they will get their darned Bull necks stretched.. they are worse than a sheep theif.. 
I wish they would draft every Devil of them and put them in old 
Regt. and when they come to Battle put them in the front rank. 
and if they did not come to time shoot them.. I think the folks 
of Delaware have not much spunk or else they are all turning 
Traitors. or they would not allow such work.. if we were as calm 
and cool and done no more to crush the rebelion than they do in Delaware what do you suppose would become of our country.. it is enough to make any one prevoked to do as I have done for the last year (as much for the interest of them as my Self) and then have them lazy Devils do all they can against me.. I hope they will hang and shoot every one that votes for Old Val.. I beleave if it had not been for them Copperheaded traitors I would have been home to day instead of being way down here.. but they are to mean to talk about so we will let them go.. we are all coming home after while and then is they want anything we can give it to them the South is about whiped.. I dont know as I will get a chaunce to come home on a furlough or not and dont know as I would take one if I had a chaunce.. I should like to beat home a little while and see Uncle John & have a drink of that good wine. but it will cost to much.. there will three of Our Boys (of our Company) start home tomorrow on sick furloughs.. Old man Courter of Sunbury is down here to see his son in the Hospital the health of our Regt is midling good.. I expect our ranks will be filed up with conscrips in a little while.. I saw a piece in the Delaware paper stating that Capt Kimball was going to bring some down when he came.. you said in you letter that Capt Kimball was dead is it not a mistake.. his woman is dead but I guess he is not.. Write soon from L. A. C.
We are now in the fourth Division instead of the 10th.. 1st Brigade 4 Division 13th army Corps army of the Miss.

Decraws (?) Point Texas
Jan 6, 1863
Dear Friends:
This evening I received a letter from Almeda of Dec. 13, also one from you day before yesterday dated Nov. 29. I was glad to hear you are still all well. tonight it is rather cold and blustery. 
We have some of the greatest wind storms you ever saw. It will 
commence and blow for two or three days strait ahead hard enough to take your head of if it was not fast to you. The folks here call these wind stormes “Northers.” Some times it blows sand filles every thing full of sand. then we have a nice time.. at 
preasent we do not have very plenty of rations.. there is plenty 
here at the mouth of the Bay but the Gulf is so rough the ships 
cannot cross the bare so as to land the rations.. but it has all 
signs of a fair day tomorrow so the ships can land then we will 
have a fresh supply.. there is nothing of importance taking place here at present.. I beleave the intention is to march on to 
Galveston before great while. but I do not anticipate much of a 
fight there.. it kinder seems to me that the Rebs are about plade 
out all around the Bush.. I got a letter from Alf Jones tonight. he spoke of haveing fine time in Tenn.. also one from Frank Newcomb. He seems to have first rate times up there in Ohio. if I was as close home as he is I would not call it souldiering, it 
seemes that we get further from home every time we move.. Still we are better off this winter then we were last. we are in a warmer climate and there is a better prospect of this cruel war coming to a close.. you spoke of sending two letters with Postage Stamps.. I have never got but one.. Nevertheless you need not try to send me anymore as I got a supply while at New Orleans.. You inquired if I lost my money in the fight. I did not. I lost all my blankets and most all of my other traps but I have once more got a new supply.. we can draw just all the clothing we are a mind to. the worst of it is we have to carry it when we march.. 
we can draw rubber blankets when ever we want them.. they cost us $2.55 apiece. they are pretty good to.. you need not try to send me anything in the cloathing line..the clothing we draw is not quite as good as that from home, although it is cheap.. while I was at Orleans I got me a pair of boots. they cost me nine dollars. pretty high, but I would not take twice that for them 
now. I could not get along very well without them here in the 
sand.. the young folks at Frogland seem to be tearing around 
conciderable. some going to college and tell them to go it while they are young but tell them not to get married until I get back.
Almeda you said you would send me Ories and your likenesses if I wanted them. If you can send them without a case I would like to have them.
My fingers are so cold I will have to stop. I have made some 
awful marks you will see. I remain as ever the same
Lu Carhart