Camp at Opoluses La May 3 1863
          Head Quarters 19th Army Corps
                                        Emery Division
Dear Sister
                             I received your letter of the
23d of March April the 23rd one month from
the day you wrote it it came to me
the day we halted here we wrested here
before to answer it since then we have
been moving scouting the country for
cattle and horses cotton  & sugar and
have got a good Quantity of them and
now I will tell you how we got here
we left Algiers the 7th of April on
cars and and arrived at Braisher city
April 10th crossed the Birwick bay 11th
and left Birwick city the 12th marched
thirteen miles on the bank of Buyou Teche
where we came to about 7000 of the Rebs
strongly fortified the army spent two
days here to Reconointer when we
                                         4 OC PM April 14th
advanced on their fortifications Weitzels
Brigade having the left of the line and

brigade the wright but they had to much
Artillery for us to take it by storm for the
grape shot flew so thick about us that
we thought their was no room for our
heads s we all laid down the fight lasted
till after dark between our artillery and
theirs we slept that night on the field
in line of battle and was awakened the
next morning at daylight by the cannons
firing over our heads and had to lay all
day between the two lines close to the
ground I don't know that I was scart
any but I thought of home and friends
evry time one of their shells bursted over our
heads or a shower of gape shot fell among
us the firing ceased just after dark and
we slept another night on the field
on the morning of the 16th we were ordered
to fix bayonets and charge their breast
works and at about 7 O.C. A.M. we went
over their breastworks took 2000 prisoners
and killed and wounded a great many

more and chased what was left of
them over one hundred miles in
five days so you may know that I was
some tired when we came to a halt
here we have taken enough coton
and sugar and houses to pay the expensas
of this army for six months and we are
ready for to go after them again it is
getting very warm here and I begin to wish
I was back in Virginia to stay the summer
and now Kate I want you to write to
me and let me know where Thomas was
when he died and what Regmt he belonged
to and also what regmt Vantyle
belongs to and Debs Husband
and how you get along and how
to direct a letter to Higins folks
and if Mamma is to your house
yet and if she is kiss her once for
me tell me where Soll is and why
he don't write and what he is
doing this summer you write that

You wished I was their to eat some
warm sugar but I fear it will
be a long day before I can come
for it is such fun to chase Rebels
that I cant leave it off and would
not if I could, I think that we
will go in to summer Quarters
the first of June near New Orleans
and if we do I will let you know
and will write as often as I can
and you must do the same paper is
scarce here and I will have to close
with writing any thing that I want to
give my respects to to all the folks
and remember me to the children and
Solomon
                from Your Brother Jim

P.S. don't forget to let me know how
all the folks are in Baltimore and
direct your Letter to Co. C. 133 Regmt
N.Y. S. Volunteers Paynes Brigade
                               New Orleans La
                                            or Elsewhere
                         1st Seagt J. Hardenbergh