Camp 8th La, Inft Reg of African Descent, May 9th, 1863Lee,
It has been some time since I wrote you a letter. I have been so busy that I could not write much to anyone. I had a letter from you a few days ago. You appear to think I did right in going into this Reg. Only for leaving the old Co. and John and Silas and Sile B. I did not feel right in leaving John, although I offered to take him for orderly, but that was a poor offer, but it was my best. Sile B. took me up and is with me. He does first rate and gets along with the colored boys very well. His great fault is he is too familiar and good to them. Me or my Sec. Lt drill the Co. three times a day. They are learning very fast. My 1st Lt is no account but to blow. No officer in the Reg likes him. I am going to get rid of him just as soon as possible and make Sile 2nd Lieut. The Rebels are all around us, and I believe they will come in on us before long. Yesterday some of our men and the Rebels was skirmishing all day about 12 miles from here. If the Rebels drive our men in, they will come here. I believe our negroes will fight as well as white men that have soldiered no longer than they have.
©2006 C.S. Parkinson