John Lester Barstow to ?
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I wrote to Laura a few days ago, & supposed that my letter would leave here
the same day that I wrote it - but the steamer that took the mail met with an
accident and had to return here for repairs so that I have a chance to write
again - We left Ship Island on the 6th & after
hardships and privations too numerous to tell off arrived here in 7 days,
instead of 2, as we expected - The city had at that time (5 days since) been
occupied by Gens. Butler & Phelps and 4000 men, for about 10 or 12 days, and great fears were entertained, that
either the people here would rise against them, or that Gen. Beureyard would
come down by Rail Road from Tennessee and ripe the little army out of existence,
and it is still very much feared, that some such attempt will be made. Since I
wrote Laura we have changed our Quarters from war the
river to a higher & far more pleasant locality we are now in the Mechanics
Sustitate a large new building, more than 4 times as large as the Town Hall in
Burlington and 4 stories high, and also occupy 2 other large buildings
adjoining. My office is a [ ] room on the
second floor 25 feet square, and I am infinitely more comfortable than at any
other time since I left home. I think I wrote you
something of the
high prices of every thing at Ship Island - but I find every thing much higher
here - Before we came here there was no Flour for pale in
the city - now it sells for $30 per Barrell - Beef steak 60c a pound, Eggs 75c a
dozen and so on - coffe 80c Teas 2.50c a pound - but this cannot last long as
chips are coming from Havanna and other places, and the country people - finding
that we harm no body, and pay for every thing we want in gold are beginning to
come in with chickens &c - Lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and all garden stuff
is plenty - but they the [ ], are
afraid to sell to us for fear that we shall leave the city and then they say the
rebels would kill every one that helped us to any thing. A few Union men visit
us at night - but there is no open Union feeling in the
city, and I do not believe there is much that is genuine,
any way - The poor people were actually in a starving condition when Gen. Butler
came here - he has given away more than 3000 Balls of salt beef that he captured
from the Rebels - to the poor of this [ ] - At
first, no officer iswas allowed to go out of
his quarters without being armed, and having an escort - but now two officers
are allowed to go out together - carring revolvers and [ ] knives - I have been in nearly every part
of
the city on business, and have met with no trouble worth mentioning - but do not
go out after 8-o-clock in the evening at all.
When we landed the wharves and property that the rebels burnt - was still smoking and in many places I have wacked (with the Regiment) where the ashes of the burnt cotton, was ankle deep. The negros are plenty and of course civil - but seem to be chiefly glad to see us, because they think that provisions will be cheaper - They appear to be as happy and contented as any class of people can be - but, of course. I have no chance of knowing) any thing about it. - I in common with the other officers am called Wassan Linkum, 20 times a day - they say "God bless you, we're glad you come" &c, If I should write you my experience for a single day, it would no doubt, prove every interesting, but my office thronged all day, and [no one can stand the labor in this hat - climate that they can North &] when night comes I am tired enough to go to bed - My duties are arduous and responsible but I hope I have proved myself adequate - Give my love to all & write often addressing your letters in addition to what is printed - New Orleans. -
From your sonLester