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a grand good time. I saw Goerge Taylor in New Orleans. he has been quite sick but is getting well very fast. he can go outdoors and walk around the City and as he has got detailed on duty in the City. I guess he will do firstrate. I would like to stop in the City myself only it costs too much money there. We have a splendid mess up here that only costs us about 25 dollars a month. We have fresh vegetables brought us every morning from outside the lines by an old donkey. Our dinner yesterday was steak-cucumbers. cabbarge. squash new Potatoes. Radishes &c. today we have turnips and strong beans extra. Green beans are too old now, but we had plenty of them while they lasted. Fish are plenty here, so we can have our three courses in good style when we have company and want to make a spread. I met chaplain Williams in New Orleans and he wished to be remembered to you all. he sends his regards to Elizabeth Hodges in which I join him. also the Crosbys I am short of time now as I have got to make up for my visit to New Orleans. with much love
Your Aff Son Ellie
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Saint Louis Mo. Aug 21st 1864
Dear Father & Mother:
I could not find any better use for my time today than to write you, thus giving you the first letter I have written in Saint Louis - Today is Sunday and the City seems so nice and quiet in comparison with New Orleans that I feel more at home than I have done for the past 18 months. I shall go to Church this afternoon and I shall imagine you all as filling our pew in the dear old Church at home. I reached this City a week ago tomorrow and at once went on duty and right busy I have been ever since, I was at once detailed on General Court Martial and Military Commission for the trial of Soldiers & Citizens accused of offences against
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the Government. The first of next month, we have eight or ten cases of hanging. Bushwhackers can get but little mercy from us. The General and our whole Staff are detailed on the court-- and I hope we shall remain here for a month sor two yet. I find living in this City rather expensive but I don't care if I don't have a cent if I can get enough to eat--, an officer has hard work to live now on his pay. everything is so high and we pay five per cent tax besides on all our pay.
I have formed the acquaintance of some very nice families here thro my soldier friends and passed one very pleasant evening last week at the first party I have been to since I left home. My worst trouble now is that I have received no letters from home for two weeks as
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my letters have gone to Port Hudson and I shant be able to get them for a week or two yet. I don't know as I have merited all the good fortune that has been my lot for the past three years. when I consider my many escapes (my last one on the Empress was not the least of them by any means) and the many brave fellows that have been killed while I am so far spared. I cannot but thank God for the guardian care he has had for me, and acknowledge my unworthiness for such favors. To be sure I have always attended to my duty and tried to win a good name, but how many better men have had less success - My dear parents I cannot ever be sufficiently gratefull to you for your kindness to me, and I owe everything to the education you