1862 June 28 Louisiana

                                      June 28th  1862

           My Dear Boys

                              After a long interval
of silence on your part, my anxiety has
been relieved concerning you by the receipt
of Pauls letter and day before yesterday of
yours dear Alex, I [?] so , lest you might
be sick that I was half tempted to go and
see for myself, had my family been well
I might have done so.  Nannie and her
husband have had a siege of it but are both
much better now, they with my sister will
go to the Falls of St Anthony as soon as their
health will permit, I shall remain at home
Nan and I will have a lonely time, but,
cannot consent to go any further from my
darlings, what would I not give to have
you two dear boys with me, not a day
passes but you are tenderly thought and

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spoken of, reminiscences of our European
tour are rarely refered to that your name
Alex is not mentioned, on a pleasant
afternoon when about to ride out Nan
will say, I know poor Alex often thinks
of Cadet's query of ladies will you like
to go to the "Pines to day"  how I wish he
could be with us now, or when the fine
fruits or gumbo are brought on the
table we "wish the dear boys had some
of it," by the bye I have made some nice
preserves for you and will send you a box in
the early part of the week, & will try to let
you have it by the 4th of July , a novel thing
it will be for Americans to celebrate the
anniversary of their independence in
prison, but look out for the box you
will not probably enjoy its contents the
less because you are where good things
are scarce,  I am glad to hear you are
both bearing your prison life in so
soldierly[?] a manner.  I hope you did
not fail to write to your mother by the

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released surgeons you spoke of
they will be permited to take open
letters, it would have been such a direct
opportunity; have they gone south: if so by
what route?  I heard of your friend, W
he was well and in high favour, being recom
-mended for promotion, and transfer into
the regular army, by five of the most prominent
officers in it, a Federal officer who saw
him on the battle field at Elkorn says
his gallantry on that occasion attracted the
attention of the officers of their side and
said he deserved promotion on the field.
The City is dull, nothing breaks the monotony
except an occasional pic-nic, even they
are few and far between.  Tom sends his
love as does Nan who says she intends
to write to you soon.  do either of you
need any thing?  remember me to  Col.
Battle; when you get the box invite him to
lunch. Each and every one join in
much love to both of you.  I remain dear
boys most affectionately
                                      yours

unsigned letter to Alexander and Paul de Clouet

The de Clouet brothers were sons of Confedrate congressman Alexandre Etienne deClouet of Louisiana.  Both were in the 1st Field Battery, Louisiana Artillery which served in New Orleans until the fall of that city.

MSS 9564-a