Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-23
LETTER FROM PURSER Il. j. RICH
ARDSON TO HIS FATHER.

MoNTPELIER, Jan. ii.
10 the Editor of IVahon's Journal.
In answer to the inquiries of Mr.. Walton,
in your paper Of to-day please publish the
enclosed letter received by me on the l3th
inst. X. RICHARDSON.
L. S. STEAMER "HARRIET LANE"
GALVESTON, TEXAs, Dec. IS, 1862
Big Dear Fathr,-l have to-day received
a letter from you, enclosing one from Mr.
Walton. At the time | wrote you last was
recovering from an attack Of typhoid fever
/ have had two trials at this, and a number
of times have suffered from fever and ague
All Of these, in connection with this very hot
climate, had pretty near used me up, and
therefore ] wrote as | did. Recently the
weather has been quite cool and comfor table,
and l am now in good health.
l wish you TO give Mr.. Walton my re-
spects, and please say to him that | shall re-
member his kindness, and will try not to dis
credit him Tor obtaining for me the position
now hold, hope that ere this he has reooy-
cred his health, and is able to attend to af-
fairs as usual. | shall probably not use his
letter, but should | again be sick may do so.
l am very anxious to remain in the Gulf until
after Mobile is taken. | shall be well pleased
when the Stars and Stripes fly from every
post on this whole coast, but am particularly
desrous to see Mobile fall. 1t is the last
stronghold on this coast.
We are expecting part of Gen. Banks
force, and as they have arrived at New Or
leans, suppose they will be here soon
Capt. Renshaw still holds his position, and
will undoubtedly do so until the land force
arrives. Gen. Magruder says that we must
leave soon If troops do not come but as
rebel Generals are sometimes disappointed, |
hope that he will be in this case.
Our ship lies at the head of the line, and
we are within range of a rebel battery. An
occasional skirmish takes place. Thus far we
have had the best of them. Sometimes a ram
comes down and tries us at long range, but
they are very cautious at present, as we came
near capturing one few days ago. She came
too near, and had there been plenty of water
she would have been taken. The Confeder-
ates are very strong few miles from here.
They have some very good works We have
tired to get up to them, but the water is too
shallow. | don't think they will try to stop
Banks this side of Houston, about fifty miles
from this place. There l understand they
are busy entrenching.
An exchange of prisoners took place few
days ago. This ship made the exchange, con-
Sequently most of our returned prisoners are
on board. They were very well treated, but
the rebels had nothing but corn meal to give
them. Potatoes were 50, so per bushel, boots
80, coats $50, &C., &c. One man said that
he was offered $4,000 to go as substitute, but
he was loyal tar and could not be bought.
he soldiers desert nearly every day Six
deserted day before yesterday, one yesterday
One of the prisoners said that be did not
wish to go back, and he tried to escape from
them.
Texas people are wild set,-about hall
civilized should judge. Galveston is quite
nice little city, but | do not like it.
should prefer New Orleans.
Your atieciionate son,
X. j. RICHARDSON.