Brooks Letter 5

Private William Brooks
Co E, 161st NYVI

“we have had A hard time for A while back it has bin very dustey most all the time …” Private William Brooks, Alexandria LA, April 1864

In camp near the Red River

-April 5th., -1864.

William R. Brooks to Jane Brooks his wife and children.

His last letter in the collection. He again approves of her moving to Woodhull.”

[This was written after William’s regiment had marched from southern Louisiana into the Red River country. In early April they camped near Natchitoches and Grand Ecore in some of the finest country they saw in the south. The letter dated April 26 is actually the last one from him.]

in camp neer red river April ?, 64

Dear wife

I will write a little to you this morning to let you know how I get A long my health is not as good as it has bin I am some lame but I hope I will be well in A few days I hope this will find you well I cent you 35 dollars by Mr. Hathaway and my watch we got 4 months pay and we have got 3 months doe us now I hope we will get some more pay soon and then I will cend you some more if your moving I cannot tell what is best you must use your own judgment and do the best you can if you think best to go to woodhull I am willing we have had A hard time for A while back it has bin very dustey most all the time but the most we whent in A day was 20 miles and some times not more than 6 or 7 so we could stand it but we have to go on tomorrow I do not know when I can get A chance to mail A letter again – – – – – for we are going up the river and some times we cannot cend A letter 2 or 3 weeks so you must not worry if you do not hear from me in A long time but I will write every chance and you must I cannot write for my sholder is lame so I will close

write soon

good bye from Wm. R. Brooks to Jane Brooks

Wishing you had an ancestor photograph? Check out the 1800s photographs and antique photo albums on Lost Faces. There are over 3,500 photos in this growing genealogy collection

This letter was written from Alexandria, LA, after the Battles of Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, and Cane River Crossing. The figures William gives for casualties and prisoners are not supported by the Official Records or other sources. Soldiers wrote what they heard “on the grapevine,” which was seldom accurate. His info about burning homes and farms is supported by other sources, but his letter is the only one I have seen implying that anyone from his regiment took part in it. This is the last letter from William in the collection. Submitted by Ron Hughes

Read the rest of William Brooks’ letters: