Camp Moore

Tangipahoa, La.

Tuesday, June 4th 1861

Dear Sister,

I have been intending writing home for several days but I have heretofore been too much occupied to do more than think of the loved ones at home. We have been here since Monday last and the men are settling down to camp life. Our living is somewhat different from what it was at Camp Landry. We remained in New Orleans two days and on the evening of the second day we marched down to the Jackson Railroad depot to take the cars from this place but after getting our baggage on board we found that there was no cars to take us up so we had to wait till next day. Capt. Nicholls sent me up with the baggage and I made my bed that night on the floor of the railroad depot gallery my knapsack for a pillow and the sky for a covering. The company arrived next morning and we marched into Camp Moore through sand about three inches thick.

We are encamped next to Major Bob Wheat's Battalion and a rough set of neighbors they are. One company is composed of levee rats of New Orleans and they have a row among themselves nearly every day. The whole camp has been under arms twice since we have been here to put down their rows but we have not yet been obliged to whip them in. One regiment [Col. Hunt's 5th La.) is to leave here tomorrow morning for Richmond, Virginia, I am told. I wish we were to go too. As yet we are connected with no regiment and I cannot say when we will leave here.

I amused myself this morning for about three hours drilling a green squad and felt my temper is not quite as angelic as some fair damsels might suppose. However I keep it pretty well. I am now Jr. 2nd Lieut. of the Phoenix Company and fell quite filled with the importance of my position. Our name is no longer United Guards but Phoenix Company so that when you write direct to Lieut. W. Whitmell Martin, Phoenix Company, Camp Moore, Tangipahoa, La. I do not feel particularly like writing to day, in fact just now I feel more like sleeping than anything else, but I have an opportunity of sending this direct home so I merely to let you know how I am.

Love to all friends, relatives and otherwise and tell father that my trunk is here but the key isn't unless it is inside. Write soon and give all the news.

Yours,

Whit