From the 27th Regiment.

HD. QRS. 27th Inf. Wis. Vols.

3d Brig. 3d Div. 13th A. C.,

Mobile Point, Ala. March 14, 1865.

Editor Evergreen City: Dear Sir -- I presume by this time, that you have heard of our
departure from Little Rock. I can at least realize the fact, seated in my little wedge tent with a
carpet of sand for my feet, the surf of the ocean dashing against the shore hard by, the rain
pouring in torrents about me, and the quietude which reigns throughout the camp; it is indeed a
fitting time, and the only favorable one afforded me, to write to you a few lines.

We left Little Rock on the 7th of February, taking the cars to Duvall's Bluff. The weather
was very cold, and we were quite glad, when we found ourselves snugly packed on board the
Steamer ROWENA, on the evening of the same day. Our trip from the Bluff to the mouth of the
river was pleasant and without anything unusual occurring worth mentioning. We arrived at the
mouth February 8th. Gen. McGinnis commands the post, and appears to be a very fine, courteous
gentleman.

Feb. 9th, embarked upon the splendid steamer HENRY AMES for New Orleans. Arrived
at Vicksburg on the 10th about 4 P. M. Remained there long enough to go up town and get a
glass of lager, and take a little stroll about. Saw the holes in the banks where the citizens hid
themselves during the siege. Vicksburg has improved very much since I was last there. Gen.
Washburne had been in command, but was relieved a short time before our arrival.

Again steamed up and arrived at Natchez February 11th, about 11 A. M.; did not remain
long; took another glass of lager; saw groves of oranges, and one of the principal streets, on both
sides of which were fine shade trees. Natchez is said to be one of the healthiest places on the
river; it is certainly one of the handsomest, situated upon a high Bluff.

We now began to approach an Eden of loveliness, the garden spot of the great Mississippi
Valley, and all eyes now eagerly bent upon the beautiful scene, as we glided along down the river,
passing hundreds of magnificent plantations, with groves of oranges, bananas, live oaks, cedar,
and many other trees, natives of the sacred soil, sometimes so near the shore you could almost
swing from the branches. At one plantation we stopped to wood. I strolled through the shady
groves, plucked the yellow fruit with my own hands. Oh! Sir, one who has not seen an orange
grove hanging full of the luscious fruit, cannot judge of its beauty. It seems more like some fabled
tale you read of, than a real, living scene; and then to think that a people having every thing that
heart could wish for, and living in such a country, protected by its laws, should rebel and grasp for
more, there by losing what they have and leaving their homes and families desolate! They must
indeed have been infatuated, or tempted by the same individual who caused our first parents to be
driven from the garden.

Well, we kept on our way through the ever changing landscape nearly 300 miles, until we
arrived at Algiers, a little town opposite New Orleans, on the evening of the 12th about 9 o'clock,
moon shining bright. Disembarked and encamped in the outskirts of town, on a low bottom or
flat. All that keeps it from over flowing are the levee's on both sides, which extend, it is said, all
the way from Memphis.

We had heavy times at Algiers; the camp was full of women from morning till night
huckstering their delicacies to the boys for a small portion of a "Green back." Algiers is what

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