Benton Barracks,
Dec 17th 1862
H. Baker, Esq. Dear Sir:
In order to give you a fair chance to judge for
yourself what course you had better take as regards returning to
the Barracks, I thought I would drop you these few lines to let
you know how things are running here.
There had been a copy of an order sent to (N?)
ickles from the war department giving a list of paroled men who
are exchanged in which it said all (paroled men) delivered to
Capt. Swan or Lacell(?) on the 1st, 5th, 7th, and 26th of September
are exchanged."
You know we were sent on board our fleet on the
23d but lay near Vicksburg until the 26th when another squad was
came to the fleet and it may be that both deliveries were for the
26th. If that is the case, we are exchanged.
I suppose you are aware of the fact that you are
reported as a deserter, but you aware not alone for I believe I am
reported as a deserter also, but you know that we never got into
a scrape that we could not get out again.
I received a letter from John Humphrey yesterday.
He said they have not received any pay in 5 months.
I have returned to the
barracks to stay, as you
know, I have six months pay pending -our descriptive rolls have
come-Horace, I think it advisable for you to come back as soon as convenient.
There is no news so I will close.
I remain you friend Edwin.
|