4 miles from Franklin March 13, ’64
Dear friends: This pleasant Sabath day I am away down in Louisiana in an old sugar house writing.. we left Berwick City on the morning of the 7th and on the evening of the 8th we camped 4 miles from Franklin where we still remane.. we put in two days of pretty hard marching but I stood it very well.. we are camped on a large plantation clost to an old sugar house.. we have fixed up seats and are holding meetings in it. last night we had a temperence meeting fifty two joined the pledge. to day at 11 Oclock we had Preaching by the Chapl of the 19th KY Regt. and now I am in the old house writing. this afternoon at 2 oclock we are going to have Bible class. at 4 Preaching by our chapl and to night soldiers speeking meeting and about tomorrow or next day I expect we will march, so goes the afars in Dixie. today there has quite a number of men come to the Regt that have been home on furlough including Col Brown, Capt Kimball and Sargt Harbottle.We are fixing things for another expedition. and perhaps will go about the same direction we went before and go farther. tis thought our destenation will be Elexandre.. there are no Rebs very clost at preasent and til thought that we will not meet with much opposition.. We have turned over our tents (large tents) and have drawn what are called shelter tents. and have to carry them perhaps you would like to know what for a load we have to carry on a march.. I have a Gun, Cartridge Box & 40 rounds of Ammuntions.. Canteen, Haversack with 2 or 3days rations.. Knapsack with one wool blanket one rubber blanket..2 prs of drawers.. 2 shirts..2 prs of socks.. Portfolio. Testament.. & a half of a tent.. our tents are fixed to Button togeather and each man carries one half, which is about the size of a bed quilt. when we get our traps all on it makes quite a load for a man to march under all day. and the great trouble in this Country of Marching is that it is most always warm and dusty.. I have just received a letter from you dated Feb. 26th was much pleased to hear from you. you spoke of the death of Lewis Holly. it seems to be very sickly in your part of the country. our Army in this part seems to be very healthy. I did not hear of a death for a great while untill the death of George Case and have not heard of any since. I have no news of importance to write I think this expedition will be the means of distroying the army this side of the River. I think that by the close of this summer the Rebel army this side of the River will be wiped out.. I will close for the present. write soon & often. Yours with respect.. Lu Carhart.