Machentockes Bluff’s Ala. April 28, 1865
Dear Friends: I have not heard from you since I left Whistler Ala. & I left there the 19th of April. Marched acrost to the Tombigba River distance of 36 miles.. 50 miles above Mobile by the River on the 26th of April got on board Transports went up to Macentoches Bluff distance of 10 miles. today we are in camp about one mile & a half from the River in the Pine Woods.. We have met with no Rebs in arms since we left Whistler. but find a good many by the way who clame to be loyal.. the most of them think the Confederacy about played out.. we have the cheering News of Lee & Johnson’s surrendering their armies.. also the doleful inteligence of the assasination of the President. as we are traveling we find some women that rejoice in the death of Lincoln & to such there is but little mercy shown.. Some are inclined to believe that the Rebs will be encouraged by this feindish deed but I think it is a bad thing for the Rebs unless they stop fighting amediately. I beleave if this army should come in contact with the Rebs there would be no prisoners taken. the Soldiers feel sorrowful yet enraged.. it would not do for a man now to talk as some did last fall about Lincoln.. I am afraid if the Rebs do not cease to make any more resistance it will be made a war of extermination. the army of this department is somewhat split up.. one Division of the 13th Corps at Mobile.. one gone up the Alabama River with Gen Steel.. the other is here at the poin. (the 3rd Div. Comd by Brig Gen Benton. Gen A. J. Smith with his Army is somewhere in Alabama I guess.. we can not keep much track of him but I bet he will take care of himself wherever he is. My health continues good.. Mell & Will Flagg, John Rader, Ell Finley & Will Smith are with the Co &^ well. Bill came to the Co before we left Fort Morgan.. Almeda spoke in one of her letters about sending me her Photograph I would like very mcush to have it.. send it anytime it will come all right I guess.. if I had the means & was where I could & thought you would know me I would get mine taken & send to you but that is the joke of it.. I hardly think you would know me if I should be so luckey as to get home after while.. I am pretty badly pitted up.. but it is something I could not help so I am not going to feel bad over it. I think I was very luckey to get off as well as I did. I have not yet received the letter you sent to me at White River containing the one Dollar Bill & Postage stamps.. I have got one Paper sent there.. I beleave I have written all that is nessesary for this time.. You know more about the national affairs than I do.. for it takes about a week for the news to reach us from the eastern Armies.. it is time we got another mail.. I expect there will be a boat up today.. but I will send this out this forenoon as there is a channce & may not be another for several days..
Write soon & often. Respectfully yours, Lu Carhart
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