Federal Soldier's Letter from Port Hudson, La. - Federal Soldier's Letter from Port Hudson, La.

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Title
Federal Soldier's Letter from Port Hudson, La.
Creator
Townsend, [?]
Date Created
1863-12-02
Subject
Massachusetts Cavalry. 3d Regiment. 1862-1865
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Participation, African American, [Indian, etc.]
African American soldiers
Port Hudson (La.)--History--Siege, 1863
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives, Union
Soldiers--Massachusetts--Correspondence
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Campaigns & battles
Description
Identified only as Townsend, the writer of this letter appears, from internal evidence, to have served in the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry, in which blacks were enlisted. Townsend's letter offers evidence of his strong dissatisfaction with the policy of Negroes serving in the Federal army. Writing to his brother in Roxbury, Townsend tells of the mutiny of black troops at Fort Jackson. He complains about the use of taxes to pay these "nigger soldiers" and hopes Governor Andrew will address this question in his next message to the legislature. Having learned that some young New Englanders have accepted commissions in the Corps D'Afrique, Townsend ponders how any white man can serve in a black regiment without feeling degraded. The writer also describes the shelling of a steamboat and destruction of the telegraph line by Confederate guerrillas. On a personal note, he gossips about a friend from Roxbury who drinks too much. This seems to remind Townsend to ask his brother to send some bourbon or gin since it is next to impossible to get it in New Orleans. See also another letter by Townsend.
Note
Accession Number: 84-61-L.1, Mss 280. Credit line: Federal Soldier's Letter from Port Hudson, 1863 Dec. 2, Williams Research Center, The Historic New Orleans Collection.
Type of Resource
still image
Media Type
jp2
Language Code
en
Source
Historic New Orleans Collection (http://www.hnoc.org)
Digital Collection
America at War
Rights
Physical rights are retained by the Historic New Orleans Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U. S. copyright laws.
Object File Name
aw000596_0001
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