1862 July 25 Louisiana

July 25th  / 62

My dear Boys
Both your
letters acknowledging the receipt
of the box reached me safely.
I regret it did not reach you
in time for a fourth of July
celebration but no doubt as
you say you enjoyed it as much
when it did come, I have some
fear lest the chicken salad may
have spoiled, it was delicious
when I made it, but it was
too long on the road to have
kept well.  I rejoice with you
that there is a prospect of a
speedy exchange of prisoners, there
will be much joy on both sides
at such a consummation

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I think both governments
should have come to an under
-standing about a July exchange
long ago, better late than never
though; Oh how I do wish and ray
for peace, blessed peace once more,
why cannot this bitter feud be
calmly talked over and adjusted?
this cruel seperation from loved  ones
without being able to hear from
them is terrible beyond expression.
I have no news of interest to you
Lizzie Chambers went home soon
after you left--her brother was
married about that them, now
St. Paul on Monday, Lou and I will
be left here all alone, I shall have
the blues awfully I know.  I am too
sorry to hear that there is a prospect
of more disturbances in this state
I think it the most ill advised


[page 3]
measure ever heard of, it will
cause much suffering for no purpose;
and this terrible guerrilla warfare
I cannot but condemn it, & would
not for worlds have one I love en
-gaged in it--did you not see sometime ago
your father was at Vicksburg.  I do not
know whether [?] left in the
general stampede which has taken
place here within a few days past
among both loyal subjects and rebels
or not as I have not seen any of the
family since.  I wish I could write
a letter of  interest to you but there
is nothing to write about.  I hope
you will write me as soon as you
hear of your exchange, and that you
may come this way. Should you [?]
[?] give my love a thousand times
over. Adieu dear children may God
guard you safely to your mother's arms
once more is the sincere wish of
                       your devoted friend.

unsigned letter to Alexander and Paul DeClouet, sons of Confederate Congressman and State Senator Alexandre deClouet.  Both were in the 1st Field Battery, Louisiana Artillery, which served in New Orleans until the fall of the city.

MSS 9564-a