May 23, 1863
New Orleans, La. May 23rd, 1862
My Dear Wife,
Tonight I write you again as I have a little more time. I mailed a letter to you today. It was written in a hurry as I saw the advertisement in the evening paper printed at 2 o'clock p.m. that the mail would close at 3 o'clock pm. I hurried and on making inquiries at the P.O., I found that the mail closed at 9 o'clk a.m. tomorrow. I have just returned from the Planters Hotel. I took supper there. I am feeling extra well tonight, I think better than I have before since I left Connecticut which, of course, you will not be sorry to hear. And, if I could only harbor one thought tonight, that you was only well, it would give me the greatest satisfaction in the world, and if I only could hasten home tonight and surprise you, I am confident that it would relieve you a great deal. At the same time, make us both happy and that is the greatest pleasure in the world, you and I both know, but here I am at 226 New Levee Street all alone.
I saw Mr. Champion tonight at the Hotel. He is about the same. He has sort of a Neuralgia or something of the kind in his face. His face is badly swollen. The Doct. thinks he will be better in the morning. I hope so for I must have some help soon. Night before last, I set up and wrote until one o'clock and took care of C. The rest of the night I did not sleep over half an hour and that was with one eye open. I worked all the next day and have kept on up to this time. I cannot say how long I shall hold out.
The news coming up the River tonight. The news tonight is that the Paymaster is coming up the River tonight. If so, it's more work for me. The pay I have got to make out sure if it takes 4 or 6 nights sleep. The way to do it is to write nights as long as I can see and then go to sleep. A hard way to live in a free country. Tonight I steal time, as it were, to write you as I ought to be to work on the books that however when I want to write makes but letters difficult. The idea of staying alone I do not fancy much in this part of the world. Nothing but strangers that tell me it is not safe. What must I do, I do not know, but one way. That is to leave for home and that I wish I was agoing to do. Tomorrow we expected to move up to the Custom House. This on account of sickness. We have none. They are very impatient for us to come up and furnish them with goods. I wish we were out of this I am sure.
The news of the day. Today has been more of a business in the city as there a great deal of sugar & molasses going to be shipped to the North. The plan which the Rebels undertook to carry out here in the city did not work at all. Then when Gel. Butler first come here, shut up all the stores (but a very few small ones) and were not agoing to open them. They were agoing to make the inhabitants suffer. That did not work. Genl. Butler ordered that every store be open by the first of June (only 7 days from this date) for the sale of goods. They cannot open and not sell good. for if they refuse to sell to citizens or soldiers, they confiscate their qoods immediately, giving them no notice. The first day I landed, I went into a store and a man refused to sell me an orange.
Yesterday, the Quartermaster came to me and wanted to know if I knew where that store was. He said there might be something in it that we wanted I could not remember the place as it was the first time I was in the city and did not notice the name of streets. I only wish I could find it for the 2. m said his receipt would pay for anything he had got in his store. If I only had time, I would gone and look it up. It is rather hard time for Scepters in this town just now. They have to stand from stand from under or take a trip to Fort Jackson.
I do not think it will cost much to repair Fort Jackson if they keep on sending men down there from the city. They send someone every day or two. They send them just often enough to keep their hand in at the business. Today a slave informed one of the Officers that there was a big gun buried in the yard of a certain foundry. The Officer took a squad of men and started for the place. They took shovels, etc. to explore the regions. After digging down about 2 feet they hit the prize. I saw the gun tonight. It is lying in front of the Custom House. It is a new gun they had just got it finished as they buried it. It weighs eleven thousand pounds (11,000 lb.). It is as large, if not larger, than the largest gun at Fort Jackson, a supreme prize. Also, a lady informed an Officer of a quantity of swords that were buried which I understand were captured. They bring something most every day from some hiding place.
Yesterday, all the police were discharged in the city and soldiers put in their place to make a sure thing of a quiet city. I feel more safe on that account. You will please excuse my first letter today as it was written so hastily that you will find, I think, mistakes of all kinds. I hardly knew what to write. I was in such a hurry to write. You mentioned in your letter that Bell had gone to Mt. Panarssus to keep school this summer. I am sorry the reasons why. I will tell you when I come home. (You may possibly guess) although we may not agree in our opinions about the Society. of that place, I will tell you what I heard a person say about the Society when I return. That that is a good a move, that is not in my opinion. This, however, will make no difference. You do not write who is keeping your school. I was in that good old place tonight. Oh, the comforts of a home and the wife & friends connected are worth a fortune to anyone. The thoughts when one is so far away are worth half that amount.
I must close tonight and give a little room for the morning news if there be any. If not, I can fill it with nonsense or gas. My love with sweet sleep.
Henry Sill Lord
N.B. There are about 30 Regiments of mosquitoes around me, most armed with Saber bayonets such as soldiers use on Sharps Rifles. Goodnight.
H.S. Lord Good morning, Dear Wife,
It is very pleasant this morn, not extremely hot this morning. I am well and as soon as I finish this letter I am agoing to the Custom House to mail it. I stay alone last night and was not disturbed. I think I shall not stay alone tonight.
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.