(Dated 1863, but must be 1864. Like a lot of us Lu was still using the date he had been using for the last year.)
Decraws Point Texas Jan 6, 1863 (1864?) 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