Dexter Lord Letters

The Civil War Letters of Dexter Lord

February 20, 1863

Camp Parapet,

Hospital Feb 20, 1863

Friday afternoon Dear Brother,

A few lines this morning saying that I am well. I received your Letter day before yesterday although it was an old date I was glad to hear from you. I received 5 letters at once and had good reading them: 1 from you and from Father, 1 from Libbie and one from Sarah and another from Sarah Morley, you see by this that I am in the Hospital taking care of Capt. Noyes he is sick with the fever and is very sick. I am well. Waldo is with me in the room taking care of Capt. I was alone at first but Col. Selden said I must not stay all the time and so Waldo came and is with me now. Capt. is a little better than he has been but is very sick yet he won't let Waldo wash him , but I must do it. Waldo said this morning he would wash him if I want him to and went with the things and says Captain do you want to be washed now. Capt. said you can't wash me you never saw Dexter wash me and so I had to do it. Col. Selden is good to me and so is (W----iply) they tell me if I want anything to ask them and the will get it for me, they are very kind. The mail starts Sunday from New Orleans and you will get this Letter soon as all that I send gets somewhere. I am going to get a place at Head Quarters ( ) if nothing hinders. Capt. will do all he can for me & so will Col. Selden, if so I will write you soon and let you know.

I have not done any duty except going to Picket guards once. I but have done no duty since, it you was ever up to the Parapet, I can tell you where our Hospital is so you will know. It stands back from the road in a beautiful yard, the 5th house below the camp down where the new Levee begins. I don't think you was up so far as we are. Gun Boats are constantly moving up the River, the war ship Thames lays off the Camp ground and the Capt. of her says that the Mississippi will be open in Six weeks and when we go home we shall go by way of the Mississippi, up the river.

A very large ship went up the River yesterday. 14 guns on a side and two aft and 2 forward and that¹s almost as large as the noted Steamer Champion, Commanded by W.J.Lord. Jr. I will send you some Photographs of our Camp, and Hospital if you will have them framed and keep them till I get home. I can show you the old Parapet mounted with heavy Guns, some 42 and a Battery of siege guns that will make the earth jar when shot. Then the guns what tells why tell the Boys they make a whole night through and which Rounds 2 rods off. I am joking.

Excuse my writing and this blue ink is according to red Tape. Joshua Champion is coming home and will send something to you. I will send those pictures and you get David Morley to frame them. I will send you the money, for it. I would like to write more but the Chaplain is packing up the mail and I want to send this Letter. Any how you can send me a box if you want to, I would like to see something good to eat once more. Send it by Express. Good Bye. A word to Lizzie.

Dear Sister,

I am obliged to you for your vivid letter and I will write you one in the next mails, this is but a note. I send you a verse that you may keep, to remember me by. Make me something and send in the Box and I will send you something. I would like to eat some of your cooking. Soldiers don't fair any to well. You must write often as I like to hear from you as you write such good letters. Don't think I am flattering you because I am not. By the way give my love to Belle and tell her to write to me. Its warm as summer and the flowers are blooming. I will send you some flowers as I know you are fond of them. This is a bad looking letter, must go, but excuse me this time. Remember me to your Mother and Father and the children, as I can't think of their names. When I get home I will have a good time and then start for Dixie again, but mind you I won't go without straps on. That¹s the way I go, or now when I go again I want to carry a 2 story white House, Horse¹s Buggy and a fishing tackle, then I can get along, very well. I am going to carry all this on my back. I went to the Mission School yesterday and went in and examined the old school master he said, the children did not have much to learn, he meant desire. He (s---gout) silence (--ar) I say. ( ) you doin. Study mid your heart and see mid your eye. Them Little Niggers would roll their eyes and Laugh.

I will close, write soon. Kiss them all for me and except a kiss from

Your Affectionate Brother

Dexter

Address Dexter W. Lord
C.C. 26 Regt Comm
New Orleans, La Gov Ranks Division

Good Bye

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Updated February 16, 2001

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The Civil War Letters of Dexter Lord

February 20, 1863

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