Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-01-15
Letter from a Craftsbury Boy.

terest by all.-ED.
New IBERIA, La, Dec. 2, 1868.
DEAR FATHER AND MoTuER.-Af
ter long silence on the part of both d
US, have set down to write you a let
ter to let you know ! am still alive and
well. 1t has now been & long time since
have had a letter from Vermont, al
though | get letters from my wife by
nearly every mail. Doubtless you have
occasionally heard of our whereabout.
through the papers, but the papers do not
always make correct statements. When
we first left New Orleans | expected our
destination was Texas, but we are not
there yet, nor are we likely TO be for
some time to come. We marched as far
as Opelousas, about forty miles above
here, stayed there about TWO weeks and
then took the back track towards Bra
sher city. We have had no fighting Of
any account, although there were rebels
in front of US during the entire line OF
the march from Brashear, distance Of
about l75 miles. Aud here let me speak
Of the object of this expedition. Gen.
Banks after the fall of Port Hudson de-
termined to send an expedition to Texas.
The coast line Of the entire state was
held by the rebels, and therefore it might
be somewhat difficult to land troops at
any point. He therefore sent this expe-
dition up the Teche country in order to
draw part Of the rebel force from Tex
as into Louisiana while be was landing
his troops on the Texas coast. The plan
proved perfect success in every respect,
and now an army Of veteran troops un-
der the leadership of the brave Massa-
chuselts general have got firm Ioothold
in the state, which will not be given up
until she is once again under the protec.
ton Of the starry flag. Hundreds and
hundreds flock to the standard Of Banks
and the Union. lie is getting all the
men he wants in Texas, and they are
men, too, who will fight, for they know
the terrors Of rebel rule in their state.
You have often asked me what think
Of this war. VIII it ever end ? What
do | think of the war? / think it is one
of the greatest revolutions the world ev-
err saw. 1t is the solving Ct the great
question of self.government. 1t will
break the chains that bind down four
millions Of human beings and permit
them to breathe the genial air of freedom.
1t will make our country hereafter, as
heretofore, home for the downtrodden
and oppressed of the old world, bat above
all else il will rid US of that foul system
of bondage which is blot on the fame
of any nation.
have never had any doubts about the
final result of the war. | do not see but
one way for it to end, and that is in n
complete restoration of the dignity and
power of the government. 1t is true
that it is costing thousands Of lives and
millions Of money, but that is nothing
compared with the value of our free in
stitutons.
have thus tried to let you know what
| think of the war. | am now going to
give you my opinion of northern copper
heads. J have seen traitors here in the
south; have conversed with men here
whose entire sympathy was with the
cause of the south, but | have far more
respect for these men than ! have for that
class of men at home who are doing AL
in their power to embarrass the govern
ment in this It's hour Of peril. Such men
deserve the everlasting hatred Of all
mankind. l would like to see every one
of them drafted and placed ia the front
ranks of the Union army aud be made to
fight. But let them slide. Vallandigham
and his whole clique, and all the com
binod traitors and rebels Of the south
will never succeed in their wicked
schemes to overthrow the government
Dec. 8.
did not have time to finish my letter
yesterday, so l will wind it up this NOR,
ming. l will say a word about the wea-
Their in this distant part of the country.
Within the last fortnight we have had
some pretty cold days and nights. Wa
/ ter has frozen to the thickness OF an inch
and we have had some pretty hard frosts.
l suppose you think the weather is warm
all the time here, but it is not so. | have
| felt the cold here as much as | ever did
in Massachusetts it is true the cold
snaps here do not last bu: day or two
and the sun comes out as warm and bright
as ever, but we feel the cold when it does
come. We have plenty Of warm cloth