CIVIL WAR LETTER - 14th NH Infantry - On March Camp Parapet near N. Orleans !

Description

Civil War Letter
Civil War Letter - Written by Soldier in 14th New Hampshire Infantry.
(Before reading below, a note to collectors of "New" Hampshire and "New" Orleans Civil War history.  eBay sometimes refuses to let me use the word "New" in the subject line - as they do not allow a "used" letter to be sold as a "new" letter.   Silly.
This Civil War soldier letter was written by Alonzo C. Packard (1829-1896), the son of Robert Packard (1799-1859) and Deidamia Chamberlain (1799-1877) of Rutland, Vermont. Alonzo was married to Mary Curtis Dickerman (1837-1926) in 1853 and together they had at least three daughters before this letter was written in 1863—Edith (b. 1855), Nellie (b. 1860), and Iola (b. 1863).
Alonzo was employed as a teamster in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, when he enlisted on 11 August 1862 in
Co. A, 14th New Hampshire Infantry.
He remained with his regiment until 8 July 1865 when he was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia.
The 14th New Hampshire spent the first part of their service on picket duty around Washington D. C. and on the upper Potomac River. In January 1864, they were doing guard duty at the prisons and patrolling the streets of Washington D. C. as “Father Abraham’s Sentinels.” Angered that some folks at home ridiculed the regiment for “loafing about the city, ” one member of the 14th wrote home, “If any of them think it is easy to go on duty every other day for months at a time, I would like the privilege of detailing about 600 such fellows as I could easily find in our state to do our duty a month.” [The Farmer’s Cabinet, 7 January 1864]
In mid-March, the regiment was sent to Louisiana to participate in the Red River Campaign but arrived too late to participate. Their delay was caused by a hurricane as their steamer—the Daniel Webster—was battered and disabled while passing by Cape Hatteras. Seven companies of the 14th New Hampshire had to be unloaded at Port Royal until alternative transports could be arranged. After his long and perilous journey, Alonzo wrote his wife, “I never want to see the inside of another boat as long as I live. I hope if I ever go home that I shall go the overland route.”
Transcription
Camp Parapet [north of N. O. , La.]
April 13th 1864
Absent Friend,
Once more I seat myself to pen a few lines to you to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and pretty well considering the journey and hope you and children are well and tough.
We reached our place of destination about eight in the morning and left the boat about 12 and a happy lot of boys we were. We are not in the city [of New Orleans]. The passed the city and are about nine miles from the city. We are in a pretty place and everything is pleasant around us. The grass is green and pretty. The white clover is. full in blossom. The grass is composed of white clover and sweet clover. The lemon tree is in blossom. The fig trees are very plenty. There is a nice ravine of them in front of the officers’ quarters. As much as has been said about this country, I say this is the country for me for all any other one that I ever see yet. It is pretty warm here. The sun burns some but I had rather stay here than to be on the water. I never want to see the inside of another boat as long as I live. I hope if I ever go home that I shall go the overland route.
We have drawed large tents but are going into barracks in a few days as soon as another regiment leaves that are going home. Probably we shall spend the summer here. There was some mail come today but I did not get any. It seems like a long time since I got a letter but hope I shall get one the next mail. You must write the same as you used to when I was at Washington. They they will come every week. But direct to New Orleans and tell the rest to [write]. If nothing happens, I will do some writing so my friends can hear from me once more.
It was reported here that we were lost but thank God it is not so. We are in the land of the living and the most of the boys feeling pretty well. Send me a stamp once in awhile if you are a mind to. You may send me a little change. Don’t send me any bills for they won’t pass here nor copper won’t. I am all out of money. I bought some things to eat at our stopping places for our living. Was rather poor aboard of the boat and our water was dealt out to us as poor as it was. But never mind that. It is over now.
I will send you a scale that come off from a fish and will put in a little sea shell. Well, I must close for this time, hoping to hear from you soon. Don’t fail to write often as you can for I am a good way from home. I will close by wishing you health and prosperity so goodnight. This from your friend, — A. C. Packard
Direct to New Orleans, La.
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