Part 17 of 25 in Civil War Letters of Algernon H. Scribner. The date below is the letter’s historical date; the article retains the collection’s publication date.
Letter transcription
Algernon Scribner to David m. Scribner, 20 Feb. 1864 Franklin [Louisiana], Feby 20th 1864
Dear Farther, Since I wrote you we have mooved again again [sic] to this Camp where I think we shall stop a few days we are about 125 miles from New Orleans to the Bayough that runs from Brazure City It was the more uncomfortable journey that I ever had after being so hot It [the cold] took hold of us terribly. The boys are almost used up with a Cold and stiff limbs etc. we are putting right into Drilling Ten hours per day and the rest of the time devoted to scrubbing guns. I have got a hard job to do to learn the Fifers they don't know hardly annything about playing and I have got to learn them the whole Camp Duty which I think it will take 3 years at the outside to do it. In Major Allen is agoing to take charge of the Crummers two of the best Drummers in the corps have gone into the ranks Palmer an[d] Smith Palmer was Calculating to go Drum Major but the Col. told him that Allen was going to take Charge of them so he placed out into the Ranks there is not much going on or no news we expect to go to Texas in a few days, or as soon as we get Drilled sufficient there has been one expedition gone now to join Banks and annother will go in a few Days the 19th came here to day from New Or and are going into our Brigade and probably the Cavalry will come soon to join us the 8th Maine is here the 14th they say has gone home on a Furlough and are reinlisted for three years again they think that one more year will wind the Fighting all up I hope so to we have got round Tents to sleep In and lay pretty Comfortable I feel quite at home here now but expect that I shall get sick of it in a short time. Frank Patch has gone on picket to day and a scareder boy you never see they say he cried but I do know you kneed not tell of it for he would cause the devil with me for writing to you it is getting about time for Dinner and I must dry up
Yours truly, Algernon Scribner, 30th Maine
Source
Transcribed by Jean F. Hankins in 2011 for the Otisfield Historical Society, with permission of owner Hal Ferguson of Otisfield. Original spelling, uncertain readings, and editorial notes are retained.
Read the original transcription (PDF, starting on page 16).