John Lester Barstow to Laura
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[Again I seat myself to unite you a few lines, though not having much to write
that will interest you. I believe that the longer I stay in the Army, the more
care and responsibility I have - I have now 575 men under me and only one
officer to a company & most of these new ones & 5 out of the 10 are
acting & not real Lieutenants. I naturally feel a
great anxiety to have them learn so that when the Veterans get back, the
recruits will be able to did as well as they do. Another thing, we are liable to
be ordered into the field at any moment] I feel as though we should improve
every moment, to be fit to do this. - Especially since the great battle near
Natchtoches on the 8th & 9th. You cannot imagine how I fel in learning the
news of this battle my intimate friends have some of them been killed many
wounded, probably may that I have not yet heard of. Many of the Hd Regiments,
however are home as veterans
so the loss among my acquaintances is not
as large as it otherwise would have been
- The brigade that we belong in, war at the front the 2nd day, and done
splendidly - had we been there a chare of the honor would certainly have been
mine, & perhaps wounds, or death. If it is good fortune to be out of a
campaign, then we are certainly lucky. Our camp is most delightfully situated,
on the bank of the river [orange trees (now in bloom) on our right & left
& their perfound in constantly crafted among us by the breezes from the
Gulf-] we have a large ware house for a Hospital plenty of tents, and every
thing that soldiers have any where. I keep the whole camp (about 5 acres) as
clean as a parlor [only wish you were here to enjoy it with me -] but Every time
an Orderly comes over from Head Quarters I expect an order to go to the front,
and am having the men practice in trading a firing
& firing at a target. But there is nothing certain about our going. We had
as much of a military display as could be got up by 900 men, when the Veterans
left. The Col. had our old band with the Veterans & I had the Barre Band with me and escorted
the Veterans to
the Boat. The two Detachments chured each other, heartily as the passed each
other, & every body supposed that it was although but I marched my men clear
to the Boat "Left in front" & Col. Dutton marched "Right in front" so that
when we halted & came to the front, the men were facing each other, we there
stacked arms & broke ranks and let the boys bed each other good bye - this
however only lasted about 5 minutes for the Boat came up that was to take these
heroes to the steamer, for 60 days of pleasure & than 3 Yrs. of hardship.
The parting was in some instances, very touching indeed. I saw the tears in many
a mans eye To me it was like a final seperation from the Regiment for by the
time they return, our terms of service will expire. I am sometimes in great
doubt as to what I ought to do. My mind is made up as to
what I shall do. But whether I ought to do it is quite another question. -
I mean in reference to going out of service on the 1st day of land. - I feel a
great deal of anxity about Freddie there is so much sickness in Vermont. I think
of you, & him every hour I shall call it the happiest day of my life when I
can leave the Army honorably, and again be with you at
home I have a good many Letters to write and you must excuse me from writing
more this time. Give my kind regard to
all you people & believe me
as ever, my dear Laura
Your Affectionate HusbandJ. L. Barstow