J. Gordon Taylor, letter to Ma, 21 July 1864, Folder 1, Box 1, Elias Riggs Monfort Letters, Duggan Library, Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana.

New Orleans La. July 21st 1864

Dear Ma

If you could see us in our room now you would think we could desire nothing more. We occupy the house once owned by Gen. Wirt Adams of the rebel Army, situated on the cor. of Josephine and Chesnut Sts. in a quiet, cool part of the town, where we literally sit under our own vine and fig tree as the dish before me well attests. We have nothing to do save to amuse ourselves and at that we have been so far successful. Our house has fourteen rooms in all, elegant double parlors with Brussels carpet furniture to correspond, gardens outside, a good, extensive library within, in short everything heart could wish. Take our room. A mahogony canopy bedstead complete, marble top bureau, mahogony wardrobe, sofa, two rocking chairs, center table, with ottomans and lounge and carpet to match. Just next is our bathroom which is our greatest luxury. The General's room is rather finer than ours but we do not complain. In all this house there are but three occupants, the General, Major Beaham and myself. And now how do we spend the day. We do not mess at the house

[p. 2] as we can live cheaper at the restaurants. See us then at Eight this morning yawning and wondering if it is not time to get up. A sort of a smothered roar from the General's room announces that he is awake at least and presently in he comes making the air discordant with his attempts to sing "Em's old favorite "I bet my money on the bob tailed bay" and we all turn out for the day. Dressed by nine we get into a street car and go down town for breakfast which consists of "Fish flesh & fowl" melons, fresh figs, peaches, grapes, pears, nectarines, etc. &c. all of which are to be had in abundance. By Eleven we are ready "for anything that turns up." The General goes his way and we see him no more until the next morning. The Maj. and I wander around town until four when we eat dinner and come home. — You must know we live a good long mile up town and when we go down we stay the day out. — At home we read until mosquitoes worry out our patience, and then go to bed. Ten o'clock is sure to find us sound asleep, gathering strength for another just such a hard day's work. The General is very kind and we enjoy his company what we have of it, more than ever before. There being so few us we depend more upon each other. I wrote out my resignation yesterday

[p. 3] and this morning the General approved and recommended it and I have sent it on its way to the authorities competent to accept it. The General said he was very sorry to have me go and asked me if I had considered it well, but afterwards said he had been expecting it. He did not complain of my course but readily recognized the necessity that had led me to the step. It will be some three weeks before my papers return and you need not therefore look for me before the last of August or the first of September. But in the mean time take good care of yourselves and be consoled with the thought that when I do come it will be to stay. I called on Miss Austin's brother yesterday. He did not seem to be overjoyed at hearing from her and I thought when I mentioned that I came near bringing her with me, that he was glad I did not. He was polite and said he would write and we parted. He is not much older than I and yet has grey hairs, telling of a life called "fast" a life in which his sister has ceased to be remembered. I was not very favorably impressed, but perhaps my preconceived opinion prejudiced me against him. As he said he would write he gave me no message for Miss Austin. I saw Mr. Wise also and had a very pleasant talk with him. He asked about all at home very

[p. 4] kindly and seemed glad to meet me. I called at Mr. Schnieder's Store also but Mr. S. was at home unwell so I saw no one. Today I got the address of Mrs. Blaffert from Mr. Wise and shall call on her tonight or tomorrow evening. I met here Maj. Lupton who was on Gen. Baird's staff when we were at Franklin Tenn. last year, also a Mr. Fairbanks whose acquaintance I made at Washington so that familiar faces meet me even here where I had thought to be an utter stranger. Yesterday too I met a Mr. Cook who once was a student at Farmer's College and is now Ensign on the Monitor Chickasaw He have the Maj. and myself an invitation to come aboard at ten this morning which we agreed to do, but unfortunately we slept too late to keep our promise. Tomorrow we shall try again, I hope with better success. Troops here are very scarce, the 19th Corps having been sent to Washington leaving this Department almost bare of them. The General has been offered his choice of three positions, by Gen. Canby of which he has about made his selection. One was to take command of the 19th Corps before its departure, one to go to New York again relieved of all duty entirely and the third to take command of an expedition against Mobile which is now organizing. Of this last [letter incomplete]