Near Fort Morgan, Alabama Aug 19, 1864 Almeda I received your letter of Aug 3rd a few moments ago. I was very much pleased to hear from you.. you will please excuse me for not writing to you oftener. I have received several good letters from you lately and have not answered them as I should have done. but I have had but little chaunce to write lately. I have about as much time to write today as I have had for some time. it is very quiet to day.. we have had very good luck so far on our expedition about the first of Aug we left Algiers and went down near the mouth of Mobile Bay where the rebs hold two Forts. one on an Island at the mouth of the Bay the other on a Peninsula not a great ways from the Island the Fort on the Island is Ft. Ganes. the one on the Peninsula is Ft. Morgan our Gunboat fleet run past the Fort up in to the Bay and that cut of the Rebs get out. for they could get to Fort no other way only as they came down the Bay. the Gunboats also captured the Rebel Ram “Tennessee” and several Transports. at this time our Infantry force numbering about 15 hundred landed on the Island about 5 miles from the Fort. we marched into within about half a mile and began to fortify & plant some large Siege Guns. we got about ready to commence shelling them and they surrendered.. there was about 8 hundred men. the highest officer was a Colonel. I beleave I told you in my other letter that there was 17 hundred men but I was mistaken. we then crossed over on to the Peninsula and drove the Rebs in to the Fort. we were then reinforced by Gen. Herrons Div. so our Inft force now number about 4 thousand: we are planting large Siege Guns & a good many morters & are going to soon be ready to open on them. they throw over a shell accasionly but have not hurt any one yet. there has 13 come out from the Fort and 3 came up from Mobile since we have been on the Peninsula they say there are about 8 hundred men in the Fort comdy by Gen Page. he says he is going to hold the Fort as long as he can. I dont think that will be long when we get to work at them. When we were on the Island (the name of the Island is Dolphin) [Dauphin] I was pretty sick for 2 or 3 days. I had 3 chills but I got them broke and feel very well again. the boys are pretty well except Mell Flagg he has some sores on his feet that bother him some. there has been no one in the Regt Killed or hurt yet since we left Algiers. we left John Rader at New Orleans in the Hospital he had very sore eyes but I understand he is about well and is acting nurse now. You say you expect to have a big time with the Copperheads you need not expect them to fight much. all they make such a fuss for is because they are afraid of the draft they are to cowardly to go in the army. I would like very well to attend you(r) Picnic at the close of your school & if I have good luck & your school does not close untill next year about this time perhaps I will be with you. (To Father) you said twas the hardest work you could do to write. it seems that way to me some times still there’s nothing that I like better than to get letters from home. I think you are going in pretty big to do all your work and work out besides. I would like to be with you 2 dollars would be rather better than 5 cuts per day.. You said you had received the money I sent I am glad it went through all right. you asked if you should by a piece of land. I would like first rate to have you. I want you to use it in some shape anyway.. if Finley does not pay you the money on that order send it back to me & I will get it of Riggs Pay day. dont be afraid to risk my money in some thing for if you dont risk anything you will not make anything.. I am working in rather risky business now but I expect to accomplish something after while. I have to go up within about 2 hundred yards of the Fort every 2 or 3 days and dig rifle pits and help throw up embrasiers for the large Guns and the Rebel sharpshooters try to hit a fellow…………hard & come pretty near some times, but if we as luckey as we have been we are going fetch them out after while. I will have to close for this time. My respects to all write soon, from Lu Carhart.
(across to of page, upside down) excuse my writing with a pencil for I have about doned the use of ink & pen.