Number One No. 1 No. One March 6, Eighteen sixty three
Dear Father & Mother. Brother & Sister. This morning finds me in camp, feeling as well as I have since I have been in the U.S.A. Mr. Flagg & Mr. Gary came into camp yesterday morning they took us on a kind of a surprise just as we were eating Breakfast. you better beleave there was a set of tickled boys, we were as glad to see someone from home as we would to have Vicksburg. there was some of the boys rather unwell and it has livened them up a great deal. I got some things that you sent me for which I am very thankful. I beleave I got everything you sent me unless your sent money in the letter. it seems you did not calculate to send the letter by Mr. Flagg when you wrote it. You said in it you was going to send half dollar in it but there was nothing in it. I got three and a half Dollars by the hand of Mr. Flagg a bunch of dried fruit, a ball of Butter, a shirt and some cakes in it and apples. some paper & envelopes and two lead pencils the things were very nice and come good the Butter was nice and good. we drawed flour the other day instead of crackers and found a chance to traid it for Bread so I had some bread and butter which was the best I have had since I left Kentucky. the things were what I kneeded except the shirt and paper I have plenty of paper at present and my shirts are good yet. them that you made me when at Delaware are hole yet and my woolen ones are as good as when I got them. I have not drawn any yet. I beleave I will send it back by Mr. Flagg if he can carry it. you said you thought I was sick but I am not.. I feel rather under the weather some times on acount of hard fare but I feel first rate now with the prospect of having better times.. the Dierhea troubles the boys a good deal, and I beleave it is on acound of not having what they ought to have to eat. when we have money we get along very well. I am sorry I have to ask for money but I beleave it will keep me up. I am sorry I am so much trouble but if Gog (God?) (God) sees fit to let me live I will try and make it right some time. there is some prospect of our getting some pay from the government but I guess it will not be much, only one months pay if I get more before Mr Flagg starts back I will send one home. I think Mr. Flagg will stay some time. Melve is pretty sick he has been sick about two weeks with a feaver. I am very glad they came down to see us when they get back they can tell you more about our Situation than I can. it is the opinion here that there will be no fight at Vicksburg. they seem to be working a sort of plan to surround them and cut of their supplies and take the place without any fight.. day before yesterday our company worked on the canal they are going to make it work I guess they have been digging it wider it is now forty feet wide. I got a letter from you about one week ago date the 15th Feb. I have numbered this letter I beleave it a good plan t so if any is lost you will know it. this is the first one I hav numbered. I beleave I will stop. write soon.. my best respect to all. Lu. Carhart.
(Upside down at top of second page) I got my papers you sent Tribune & Gazett.