May 12 1862
New Orleans, La. May 12th, 1862
My Dear Wife,
I write to you tonight from New Orleans, a place where I never expected to write you from when I started from home. We are here and I am glad for I hope for a change from ship life. We have been on the ship 7 days going about 300 miles, a long time. Tonight we are alongside of the Dock ready to go onshore in the morning. We came alongside the dock about 12 o'clock this noon, about the center of the city one or two streets above the center. Today when we came in sight of the city, everyone had an eye to see what they could see. I, with the rest, looked and I did see most everything. When we reached the lower part of the city, we fired a salute for the Fleet which were anchored above us. He heard the city. We saw crowds gathering on the shore and docks to see us, but their handkerchiefs did not move, nor did we hear a cheer from a single person. They all looked with different countenances. Some, of course, were glad to see us and others were not. All along the line of the docks, they gathered until we came alongside and then they came from all parts to see us. There was a guard stationed off about 2 rods from the ship so they could not come along or up to the ship. The crowds continued until dark when most of them dispersed. Just before they left, our Regiment sang a song to them.... "We'll hand Jeff Davis to the nearest sour apple tree."
That did not suit them, but we were not to blame. Some little boys who were in a small boat returned it by singing... "We'll march into Washington and scalp Old Abe." They did not sing a great while as their time did not suit and cries were too many.
I went onshore this afternoon and took a general look at the city. I spent 2 or 3 hours in looking about. We first went up to the St. Charles Hotel (the celebrated Hotel of N. Orleans. It is a very large and magnificent building). This hotel is Genl. Butler's Headquarters. It was closed before Genl. Butler came here as business was so dull. It is guarded by our troops. There are four cannon mounted around the building and all manned, ready for action. From there we went to the Park Hotel where the Officers of the 30th Mass. Regiment are boarding. The 30th Mass. Reg't. is stationed in the Park (City Park). It is a beautiful park. The trees give such a nice shade. Their quarters are in the Odd fellows Hall. Nice carpets and stuffed seat chairs (good for naps). Northerners can board here at this hotel at $2 1/2 Dollars per day and very common Victuals. There is also a guard stationed over this hotel.
From there we went to the Custom House where the Stars & Stripes wave, the only place in the city where they do wave. The Custom House is a very large building. It is now 4 stories high and is not finished (the main part is not finished). The front takes one whole block. It is built of granite. Here are stationed 2 regiments to guard it. Also, there are place in front 8 large cannon ready for the word. From the Custom House, we walked through the principle business streets. Business is at a dead stand, not more than one-half of the stores open and those that were did not sell much. They refuse to take Shinplasters for money and there is not a cent of change in the city to use. Each one keeps what he gets and each man issues his own change or tickets worth 5 or 10 or , as the case may be , they issue as high as 50 cents To make change. I will send you one if I can get it. We understand that Genl. Butler is about to issue an order forbidding the issue of such paper unless secured by good security as they are not secured in any way now, and several, they tell me, who have issued a large quantity have left for parts unknown. Everything is very high and a great many necessaries cannot be had at any price. I will give you a better idea of prices. Also, send you a paper with the prices... fresh beef-25 cents, sweet potatoes-one cent each, eggs-60 cents for doz., sugar and molasses are very low. It now sell at 6 per lb. best New Orleans it sold before Genl. Butler came here (so a man told me that come from Connecticut, Stamford was the town. He has been here 15 years and has to pay for his last year's work in sugar). He says it sold at one and three-eights to 2 3/ cents per lb. Now it is 6 cents per lb.
There is a large quantity of sugar and molasses stored here which I expect will come North before long. I do not see much cotton around the city. The poor of the city are a suffering very much for want of something to eat. Genl. Butler issued orders to deal out every morning a quantity of provisions to each one. There were hundreds this morning for something to eat. They cannot get work or victuals. As I was aqoing up the street, a woman, very respectable looking, wanted to know if I would change a Confederate note and give her silver for it. She said she could not buy anything to eat with it as they would not take it in the city for eatables or anything else. She said she had not got anything to eat. I did not change it for I did not have silver.
It was all over the city. Another man wanted to know if we (Union) could tell him where he could get some flour as there was not any to sell in the city. Most all the manufacturers are closed. There are no Steamboats or vessels along the shore. All looks like Sunday. Secessionists are plenty here. You can see them by going onshore anytime. Today I went into a shop and inquired for oranges. They had none and he said if he had, he would not let me have any if he had them for we were Union. About onehalf of the Waders are of the same stamp. You can see plenty of flags of all nations flying. You will see by the paper the seizure of the money. The building is still under guard and in our possession. When our Fleet came by Fort Jackson, they telegraphed to the city and all the provisions that they could get hold of were taken on the cars and carried into the interior. The supplies are cut off from the country by the guard around the city and it makes things high. Oranges are 15 cents a piece, boots calf 12 Dollars and Con. Shoes 8 Dollars for pair.
The lady which spoke to me today was the first one since I left New Haven. The ladies here do not look much like southern ladies. They are dark color. There was lots of them came down on the dock to see us. They did not move their handkerchiefs at all. I thought they would not at the North if a Rebel Fleet came up our River. They have had so many stories told them that they believe everything they hear and we must blame only the intelligent and the leaders. The Rabble are not to blame so much.
Today when I was onshore, I went into a Saloon and got a glass of Ice or Sasspharilla with ice in it. It was so nice and cool. They tell me that they have a stock on hand that will last half of the summer. There was a big load came in today for the government use, officers & hospital. They only charged 10 cents for a glass. It would be 6 cents in Conn. The only cheap thing I could buy.
We shall tomorrow (Tuesday) go onshore into our quarters which are in the city about the center and about 1/4 of a mile from the dock. Our barracks are a sugar storehouse. It is formed by a shed and it is covered, the sides There is no floor. It is only for a few days. We shall not stay in the city, I do not think, as the 9th Regiment are stationed about 10 miles above here and they are in Lieut. Phillips' Division and so are we. There is a boat running up to the place once each day. The name of the place is Carillon. I hope we shall go up out of the city. It is very warm here today, warmer than I ever saw it in Conn. There is no wind and mosquitoes just as thick as they can be and about 40 or 50 other kinds of insects, all for the nonbenefit of the Northerners. It is very pleasant and a bright moon high, you can see it all over the city. There are but few gas lights burning this eve. We shall not open our goods here yet until we know about moving further.
I write tonight because the mail goes tomorrow. They say it is now eleven o'clock. I must write more yet I can't stop. Give my love to all and be sure and take good care of yourself.
My sincere and whole love to you, dear wife.
Ever & ever, Henry
In relation to your bonnet which you spoke of, I want you to get you a nice one, also a nice dress and mantle. You may say that it takes money. Yes, and I will send you some by the next boat for New York as I can get it changed tomorrow for a small discomfort as the Treasury Note are agoing in circulation tomorrow. It is impossible to get gold or silver here. If you prefer that cloth of mine, you can take that, anything that you want, get it. I will surely be satisfied. Your hat, get one that suits yourself and it will suit me. My sheet is nearly full. It is 8:00 39 min. I must hurry to the P. Office.
Give my respects to all and remember that I am your husband always thinking of you. Hoping when this reaches you, you will be well.
Same as ever, Henry
Return to Home Page,
Go to Index of Letters
February 16, 2001
All material on this page copyright by Warner Lord. It may be freely printed and read but must not be used in a publication without premission.