| 1862-04-14 | Pope's Plantation |
| Pope's Plantation April 14th 1862 Dear Parents Monday about noon finds me again engaged in writing to you. Rec'd your most welcome letter on Saturday and should have answered yesterday but we heard there was another mail at the fort from New York so did not know but I might get another letter from you and concluded to wait until today. However I did not get a letter from anybody. In my last letter I told you of the fighting at Fort Pulaski. Well that place is taken and but one man killed. They surrendered with about 360 prisoners. Our men battered the walls of the fort down on one side so it was useless for the rebels to try to hold their position longer. Another thing our men threw a shell within 8 inches of the magazine and the rebels made up their minds it would be all up with them so they run up the white flag and gave themselves up. It is said they advised our officers when they went into the fort how it is, don't know though they are none too good for it. We have also rec'd good news from the west. It is reported that there has been a battle fought near Memphis, Tennessee, in which our men gained the day though it cost a heavy loss. They lost 18,000 and killed 38,000 of the rebels and captured 4,000 prisoners killing Genl Johnson and wounding Beauregard. How true it is we cannot tell as this is the first report. I fear it is to good to be true and if Genl McClellan makes a move upon Richmond I think the war will not last longer than fall, at least I hope it will not, for how many poor fellows it has already caused to bite the dust and many a happy home it has already made desolate and sad on account of some loved one that will never return. I hope this will not be the case with any of the homes of our acquaintance. I rec'd a letter the other day from Aunt Salley, her health was improving slowly. She wrote that Loren was about starting for Newport News, Va. I think he had not better go. If he goes he will find as many thorns as roses. I don't know what I have more to write that will interest you at present. I have sent 45 dollars more, the same way I, sent the last, to Sherwood, and I have sent for a box of things. If you send them please send it as quick as you can for we do not know how long we shall stay at this place. We have had some quite cool weather for a few days back, cool for this country and time of year but today we are having a very pleasant rain. It seems more like a June rain than an April shower, but dinner is ready and I must stop for that. After dinner and I attempt to finish this letter. It will not be much for I have not much to write. The boys are all very well here at present and seem to enjoy themselves very well. You would hardly know me for I am so fleshy I can hardly see. I never was so fleshy in my life. Give my respects to all enquiring friends. I shall be glad to hear from you as often as you can write. I will write every week when I have a chance which probably will be all the while but I must close so good by for the present. This from your Affectionate Son. J.D. Strait | |