A Letter from Algiers: Corn, Catfish, and the Longing for Home

“I hope the day is not far distant When the death blow Will bee Struck and that the rebellion Will Sunk to rise no more”

Pull up a chair, friends, because I have a real treasure to share with you from our archives. It is a letter written way back in May of 1864 by a soldier named W. H. Gwinn. Just looking at the paper tells a story of its own. It is yellowed with age and has deep fold lines from being tucked away for decades. On the second page, there are some big blue ink stains that make you wonder if his pen leaked or if the humidity of Louisiana got the better of him. Despite the blots, his slanted handwriting still speaks clearly across the years.

W. H. Gwinn was writing to his friend Leaben back home in Indiana. He starts off sounding just like a neighbor catching up over a fence, talking about the healthy climate and a fine dinner he had of catfish and potatoes. He even ribbs his friend a little, bragging that the corn down south is already shoulder-high—something he knows they cannot match up north. It is so heartening to see that even in the middle of a war, a man could still find joy in a good meal and the sight of things growing fine.

However, the shadow of the Civil War hangs heavy over the middle of the letter. Gwinn shares the news of General Banks retreating and the burning of Alexandria. He mentions how his regiment was badly cut up and expresses the collective hope of the soldiers that General Grant would soon find success against Lee in Richmond. You can feel the exhaustion and the yearning for the war to end, not just for the sake of the country, but so he could get back home to help gather the corn crop in the fall.

Reading this today, we are reminded that history is not just about maps and dates; it is about the people who lived through it. This letter is a bridge between our world and theirs. It shows us a man who was right side up and full of hope, even when things looked dark. It reminds us that no matter how much time passes, the things that matter most—family, home, and the hope for a peaceful tomorrow—never really change.

Original Transcription

Algiers, Louisiana. May
the 19th 1864.
Mr, Leaben. Gwinn Dear Sir
I beleave When I left home
that I promesed to Wright you a
letter I Will now proced to fullfil
that promas, in the first place
I Can tell you that I am Well
and injoying Myself fine. I think
that this is a Very healty Climet
The Boys all look Stout and harty
as a general thing. We had a fine
rain last night. it has been Very
Warm for several days but it is now
Cooler. every thing is a growing fine
new potatoes and beans ar now a
Coming in to use I took diner
in the Citty the other day We had
potatoes beans and a Very large Cat
fish and som nick nacks Which
Went I like old times

I Suppose you Would like to
know Something in regarde to Our
army in this department Gen Banks
is Still upon read river With his
army the news Come down yesterday
that he had fell back to the mouth
of read river after burning Elexander
We have a tolerable large force up
thair thair is a bout 40.000 men
So they Say it Seems that thare
Something rong in this department
in regard to the sucess of Our army
I have Seen Several of the Boys that
Was in the fight they are down on
Banks We lost a good ^many men in that
Expadition We had three boats
Sunk, Our regment was badly Cut
up We have been looking for the
regment down for some time but they
have not Come yet I think they
Will bee down in a few days
that is the talk now

It Seems that all eyes ar
turned to Richmond now, if
the news are correct Grant is a
playing a heavy hand on Lee the
news this morning is that Lee has
fallen back to his intrenchments at
Richmond and that Grant is a
pushing on I hope the day is not
far distant When the death blow
Will bee Struck and that the
rebellion Will Sunk to rise no more
I think that day is at hand

I beleave I have nothing
More to Wright at this time
I Suppose you ar a planting
Corn now, put out a large Crop
I Come home next fall and helpe
you to gather it. Corn looks fine
here it will Strike a man Shoulder
here now you Cant beet that up north

you will please tell Feather
and Mother that I am right
Side up and in good health
have pleanty to eat and not
Much to do When We Will leave
this place I Cant tell We may
Stay here all Summer S S Viney
is on gard to day he is Well

I Want you to Wright
as Soon as you git
this letter and give
Me history of What is a going
On in Ind

I Send my best respects
to the famley and all
inquiring friend
So remains a friend till
Death
W H Gwinn
46 reg Ind Vol Co A