Elbridge Gerry Manning, Jr., class of 1861

gave me. I see plenty of chances to make money if I leave the Army now. I could make a fortune in one year as a [Butler?] but I never will lay down my Sabre and become a citizen until this war is ended one way or the other.

I mean to show these Western men what a Massachusetts Bay man can do. One thing I am sure of , and that is this. that I know more military than two third of the officers here put together. I keep on studying and intend to know my business if nothing else.

Do you know if David Presson is in Saint Louis now? I never knew whether he ever left here or not. if he is here or any one else you know please send me their address-- and I shall be happy to call on them.

You said in your last letter that Annie Prince had been at our house

if she is there now, please give my compliments to her and tell her that I am sorry that I couldn't be at home to do escort duty for her What an awfull place our house must be for young ladies, with none of us boys at home, to wait on them. I am afraid that if I get home again I shall make but a poor beau for anyone as I am very awkward when I meet a lady now. Three years service don't improve a gentleman's manners - and I am afraid I should take to giving them orders the same as I would a soldier. Love to all the family and all my friends. what is Joe Stone doing now? Love to him and his family also Mrs. Desmett & family Tell Mary Clark I am very much her debtor for these papers I received from her. Your Aff Son Ellie

Headquarters US Forces Port Hudson La. May 28th 1865

My Dear Father & Mother:

As I wrote you only two days ago I haven't got much news to send you today. I suppose However that I must send you a few lines as I have determined to write you every Sunday. We have at last got an Official notice of the surrender of Lieut Genl Kirby Smith Comdg. C.S. Forces in the Trans. Mississippi Division with all his men. That of course puts an end to the war and we won't have any more fighting at Present. I began this letter this morning but not feeling like writing I took a walk down to the Steamboat Landing and went on board the Steamer "Bella Donna". She was

just down from Bayou Sara on her way to New Orleans and had a small freight of Cotton on board. The General concluded to go down to Baton Rouge on her and wanted me to go. But I thought I must come back and write you according to my practice. as I don't want to skip a Sunday now after having written so many. We are geting a very large amount of dust now after having been nearly roasted to death all the past week. I never saw the Climate so changeable before. - am expecting every day now to see it snow and then we will have had all the varieties of weather good & bad both. My Regiment is in New Orleans as I wrote you before and they won't accept any resignations from it now. Genl Sherman

a Brig Genl of the Regular Army. (old one-armed Sherman the boys call him) Has send the 1st Regulars off and taken my Regiment as the crack Regt of the Dept for Provost guard duty He says I will prevent any of the Officers of that Regiment from leaving the Dept. Of course you can imagine how good it makes me feel to see my Regt the best in the Regular Army. I saw a letter from Charlie Hamllin to his brother the Genl. coming from Washington sayingi ithat Colonel Troops are to be retained and that the Genl would be kept for a year longer sure and I suppose he knows. You will see me by next fall anyway whether I remain in the Army or not. If I can