July 4, 1862
New Orleans, La. July 4th, 1862
My Dear Wife,
Three cheers for the Stars and Stripes. Oh, long may it wave in the land of the Free and home of the Brave.
Lizzie Dear,Today I write you a letter remember one year ago this day when we were home. We enjoyed ourselves, but today not so with me. Today I am far from home in this lonely city and no one to care for or anything else. I feel lonely, very lonely, today thinking of the past 4th of July which I have so pleasantly spent. My whole thoughts are on home today and nothing else. I can't keep it off my mind. It is now 8 o'clock a.m. I must close and write more this Eve.
Truly,
Henry in N.O.
Dear Lizzie,
I can imagine (7 o'clock pm) you at home this eve wishing with all your heart my presence in your company and oh, dear wife, that it could be so. I would give anything, I would willingly sacrifice anything to accomplish that object. I am setting by my desk with no one here to trouble me (no one but my waiter. He brings things to me as I wish him. He is a good waiter). I feel sad and am sorry to acknowledge it, but so it is. I will endeavor not to mix up my different subjects in this letter as I usually do.
First, I will give you an account of my day's proceeding this morning. I awoke about 4 o'clock a.m. with a little headache, but that soon left me at 7 o'clock. I took breakfast and felt better. I went to work a8 usual; writing, filling out blank notes for the men to sign. About 9 o'clock, I went down to the bank and got some money changed and came directly back and went to work again. I continued until noon when I took dinner. Then Z re-turned to my desk and proceeded to write. I continued that until 5 o'clock 30 min. at which time "I" Regiment came out for Review Great Review. I, of course, went to see the performance. The rest foried on the Levy just a little way from the Custom House. I went down after the Regiment was formed and saw the Review (they were formed in single file, then brought to double file-2 Ranks). When they were ready, Genl. Butler and Staff rode down the Levy with an escort of Cavalry. He rode in front of the Colors and took off his hat and made a gentile bow to the Regiment. I stood near Genl. Butler after going through the Manual of Arms. The General and Staff rode up and inspected the Regiment which was a very fine sight (that you could have only been here). After the Genl. had rode around the Regiment and came back to his position in front of the Colors, there was a Hack stood nearby with 2 ladies, 1 young girl and 1 Lieut. of the 13th C.V. (Lieut. Thompson ). The Hack moved near Genl. Butler, than one of his Staff disrnounted and the Hack stopped. The door was opened and a Lady stepped out and then another making two, They advanced toward the General aid and presented him with a flaq (for Regimental Colors) for the 13th Reg't., Vol. Conn. He accepted them and handed them to the Col. who addressed the Ladies (I could not hear what he said. I was not near enough as he spoke low). He then turned to the Reg't. and the Color Guard marched from the Req't. and took the flag and returned to the Regiment with it, the band playing the Star Spangled Banner. The words on the flag were these:
From the Patriot Ladies of New Orleans to The 13th Regiment C.V.
Under that was the word: UnionAfter the presentation, the Officers marched in line to the carriage and paid their compliments to the Ladies. Then the General and Staff left. Next, the Hack and then the Regiment. They marched around 4 blocks and as they left the levy, the Colonel ordered the and to stop playing and the whole Regiment struck up singing... "John Brown 's body lies a molding in the ground". (Secesh didn't like that). It was tip-top. They marched to the Custom House and then the Review was dismissed. I returned to my room, undressed, and began writing to you (three letters).
Tthe state of the city, it has been very quiet here today, not any-thing more than Sunday. There were several flags displayed from different houses. Genl. Butler noticed (as he passsed down Canel Street) each one and saluted the same, all to the great satisfaction of the Union citizens and troops. Tonight all is quiet as usual. The mail Steamer "Roanoake" came up tonight with mail from N.Y. to the 24th. Good, for I am again sure of some letters from you which I shall get tomorrow afternoon. The letter I send by a soldier going home on the Steamer "McClellan" as the mail closed 2 days ago for that Steamer. I do not know why she does not leave. They have been ready 2 days, full of passangers and freight they are to take for the government and are not in a hurry.
The weather in New Orleans this day. We had hard showers and it cleared off this afternoon and it was splendid. You have no idea. It was cool and just right. It was not one-half as warm as in Conn. last 4th of July (although I had ten thousand times rather be there). But a singular fact is that it was not near as warm in this city as in Hamburgh. The gen'l. health of the city is good. Not a case of yellow fever yet. Don't hear any more of it than in Conn., although it may be here tomorrow. I am not agoing to run the risk of it. I am acoming home the first opportunity after I hear from Waite and can get through here. I hope it will be soon. I suppose that there will not be much of a demonstration this 4th of July on account of the war. I do hope by one year from this time we shall hear from the whole 34 states as they were formerly. (At sunrise, there were 34 guns fired, the same at 12 o'clock am and also at sunset).
The Steamer brought news that England and France were agoing to inter-fere on acct of Genl. Fetter's treatment to their so-called Console. Let them try it if they wish. They will find some in the war that are not now (you won't let me go, I suppose). When we get the papers tomorrow, we can tell more about it (the news from England & France).
I hear the cry of Fire. I will see where it is. I just returned from the top of the Custom Mouse. I cannot see the fire. It is in the extreme lower end of the city. I think the engines have put it out. Now I will proceed to give you an account of my last eve trip to Lake Ponche-tranjo. First, it was about 5 o'clock pm, Thursday, July 3. The Post Quartermaster clerk called and wanted to know if I did not want to take a ride. I was very glad of the offer as I had not had a ride since I left Conn. I accepted the invitation. He calls at 6 o'clock. All is well. We start. I not knowing where I was aqoing. We drove on finally. Says I, "Where do you suppose to qo?" "I think," says he, "we had better go to the Lake".
February 16, 2001