Elbridge Gerry Manning, Jr., class of 1861

get enough money for a start on a Plantation I would rather try civil life for a while, but I don't want to get out of an employment that will at least support me, without first seeing some chance to get an honest living by my own labor. I dare say it would be very pleasant to go home and live my old school life over, but I am too old now for that and must cut my own way in the world. Love to all and I hope my next letter will have more news for you. I am going out next week with Gene Hamlin to see a Plantation for sale out here of 700 acres with Horses - stock &c and a small crop of Cotton and

enough corn in to last for a years supply for the hands. The old owner was a bitter Secesh but as his lands are not seized owing to his never having been in the Army he can sell them if he chooses to do so. He says he can't live here anymore, he wants to go somewhere that negroes can't follow him. He offers the place to us for 5,000 dolls and it may prove a grand chance to purchase, we are going out as I said before to judge for ourselves. what can be done in the matter. we would either resign and run it ourselves or hire a man to run it until next spring. The Crop now in will decide the question proberbly.

I want you to tell me as soon as you can what kind of a chance I would have to raise some money in North Andover. We may not conclude to take a chance here, but wait until Red River is open and try there. That is a little wilder Country up there. that is all the difference. With much love as ever Your aff son, "Ellie"

Headquarters US Forces Port Hudson La. July 16th /65 My Dear Father & Mother: My last letter from home came to hand last Monday and was as usual a very welcome one - and would have been answered during the week had not my time been quite filled by my Office work. As the only way we can earn our pay now is by prompt attention to the duty required of us. I feel less like neglecting it even for a moment. We hardly know what use we can be put to but fear we will be called on to take the field on the banks of the Rio Grande and perhaps go onto the plains after

come of the Indians who have been taking advantage of our fight among ourselves - to cut innocent and unoffensive settlers to pieces. I don't care much myself what we do as I don't object to seeing a little more of our Country. I find I can't claim to be mustered out until next September a year to come - as my time counts, not from the date of my muster but the muster of my Regiment which was delayed by the seige of Port Hudson - so most of our men who were enlisted in May of "63" will serve to Sept of "66". I am still with Genl Hamlin, although I am surprised that he is kept in Commission so long, as I supposed they would muster out all the young Genls