John Lester Barstow to Father
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Some time has passed since I ahve written you, but I have tried to make up for
this in some measure by sending you the New Orleans papers every Teurday - from
which you could gather every thing of interest that was going on about here -
and you will also know as long as you get papers from me that I am at least
alive. The place where I now am is to miles west of
N. O. - on the bank of, what I should call a river - but what is here called
Perwicks Bay. There are about 150 houses in the place,
and a few inhabitants - most of them are well as those of the surrounding
country, having taken negros - makes, houses, carts &c & fled into Texas
on our approach - Once in a while we find a good Union man - at home, minding
his own business - but this is rare - The men, (as I have
written before) are too old for military duty, or elseuse cripples or cowards, vast feilds of cane are going
to distruction, and the loss of property is almost past
computation.
With us, are the 21st Regt. of Indiana Vols. and on the opposite side. (about
1/2 a mile) are the rebels picket - they extend up and down the bay, or river,
on one side, and our forces on the other - ours, however are only allowed to go
up about a mile. While the rebels pickets extends to their main force which is
now about 8 miles from here - I have been up six miles with a flag of truce with
some ladies - it is the richest country I ever saw [and no pen can describe it]
the soil is inexhaustible - the labor has hither to been rendered to the planter
without cost - and the value of the sugar crop per acre amounts on an average to from 3 to 500$ per acre - thus yeilding
immense fortunes each year - which are spent in the winter by the planters in
travelling in Europe or the North - or in living in the cities in great style.
Every energy of the Department seems now to be directed towards matters up the
Mississippi River and I do not think any thing will be done by us for sometime - It is not impossible that we may be ordered to
join the throng that are now moving toward Vicksburgh - many of them to find a
grave on the bank of the "Father of waters". I could write you a thousand things
that would, no doubt be interesting but events
that at home would have
been of startling interest and would have almost been
considered as Eras in my life - occur here, in numbers every day, and in trying to write a letter I hardly know what to
select to write about - & so generally let details
alone - This Regiment has mostly been an independent command that is - we have
been apart from the direct observance of a General, which
has been very unfortuate for the under Officers, who
perhaps in other circumstances might have attracted attention & received,
merited promotion - but I am perfectte satisfied as I am - I never, in my
life, was when I enjoyed, more fully, the confidence of my superiors - the
respect of my equals - & the regards of my inferions.
Should I live to return to Vermont I shall have a never failing sound of
satisfaction in knowing, that wherever I have been in this country
I
shall be remembered by the poor & unfortunate my
position has enabled me, without much trouble to
myself to releive to protect many a family who were in trouble - & in such trouble as can hardly be conceived of by one who never
has seen the track of desolation, left by the march of an invading army I
suppose this I have never seen hard times compared with
what some have seen - but sleeping out on the ground with
nothing but a blanket over me - eating with my fingers - food cooked on a
pointed stick - for days & days together marching through the day in swamps
through bayous & creeke, as skirmishing expecting every moment to come upon
a masked [ ] on a rebel ambuscade - seemed pretty tough - I might talk or write you what I
think about the state of the country about the removal of Butler or McClellan &c but it would not amount to much the Leadus may do what they please - may talk
peace or intervention - but this war cannot,
must not end until the Union is restored - or if
there cannot be Union, the supremacy of the Government
must be maintained every where - But my sheet is full - write to me often Be
assured you never will, have cause to be ashamed of what
shall be done in this war
by your affectionateLester