Avoyelles County Louisiana Archives History - Letters .....Civil War Letters Written By Jean Baptiste G. Gremillion April 1862-1865 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Anita Bodman Bod716212@aol. com June 23, 2005, 10:34 pm Book Title: 1. Camp Lewis, April 13, 1862: My dear Mimie, Since I arrived at New Orleans I was suppose to write since I thought I would be transferred. I neglected, but today I know I will not be (changed) so I am writing this letter to let you know some of my news which is very good until today. We arrived at 10:30 A.M. Can you believe it rained practically all during our travel. We had to stop a long time at night because of bad weather. At daylight we started again but that did not stop the rain ----- Well I am higher up than I thought --to be in charge. I am going to tell you the ordeal of descending the river. Paulin and Jeff talked about that (this probably means he was going to be transferred) to Colonel Johnson. He told them everything depended on the captain. I asked Jerome Ducote to see Eloi and talk to him about that. Eloi was in accord. Am I glad! Eloi asked Johnson how to fix things so that others would have no reproaches. He said he would arrange that in New Orleans. We got there. He began working to receive his company of soldiers. That took a long time before he succeeded. Then we got ready to leave for camp. Eloi wanted me to stay in New Orleans to take a boat to return. He said I had to go __________. I left and was there before midnight. Eloi wrote a letter to give me. He asked him if it was to mail at the post office. (Eloi) He answered "no", he wanted to give it to me to bring to him (new captain). Well he said he was not thinking of exchanging me because he did not have enough men. Well, here I am and I'm glad. We have a good camp. Everyone is well except Polite Zelenie who had pleurisy but he is up and about since yesterday. He is much better. Now, write real soon and tell me how everybody is. Tell me also about Oscar (what Oscar is doing) and how are you getting along. Do you go home every night? Tell me also what goes on over there. How are all the little things. Now I close with an embrace--also for the children. J.G. Gremillion 2. Camp Bisland, Nov. 15, 1862: Dearest Mimie, I profit from the occasion that Mr. Pierre Ducote has given some of my news, which is still very good as well as for all the others. I have received your letter yesterday from Villemarette. In it you talked to me of the death of our good brother (kinfolk) whom I will not be able to forget so soon. Every time that I think of him since I made him leave, the tears start from my eyes. It seems to me still that he will come back to see us. Even though misfortune for him and for us all that he wasn't able to make it. You will be able to imagine the pleasure that one day in which we would see him arrive to see (visit) us. You told me that he called me all the time. We have knowledge of his death from Louis Mayeux. He came to see his boy and en route to him he said he was at the Sabine. He came but for nothing. He has stopped at our camp. It is, therefore, where we learned of our very bad luck--we were there--Evariste and I. I told Evariste (brother of author of letter) I was sure that poor Martin (Jean Baptiste Martin Gremillion - half-brother to author of this letter) requested me and I was not to be mistaken according to that which you told me, even though I was so glad that he had stayed to get the care. Who has the care of my animals like he promised to me now that he's died. Let's talk of another matter, I cannot hold back the tears. Dearest Mimie--you told me not to lose courage. Thank God I still have as much courage that a poor soldier could have in all of the miseries that could happen. I pray still to God as much as I can asking him for good health and that he lets me return home. And I want to ask you to pray for us all. I learned with pleasure that the fever left Oscar (author's son) for some days. Tell the baby for her to take courage. Perhaps it's that God wants me to return. I want to make it known to her that poor Martin followed with Mineite. Tell Oscar and Leonie (author's daughter) that I have received their money and that I was much pleased. Goodbye, J. G. Gremillion 3. Camp Bisland, April 14, 1863: My dear Mimie, It is with pleasure that I am writing these few words to give you news of myself which is very good at this time. I hope this letter finds you and the children the same. Mimie, you have never seen a man more surprised than I when I was told that Papa and your Papa had arrived. I had lost hope about Papa. Martin and I were getting ready to prepare our supper. A man came to tell us the news. You can imagine that we left all preparations of supper. We all left. I met your papa on the way. I looked further and saw Papa. I didn't think Oscar was suppose to come. When I saw him I remembered he was suppose to come. I lowered my head to see if he would recognize me. When he recognized me he began laughing until I came to him; then he began crying, then he began telling me all kinds of things. I was obliged to calm him. He wanted to talk constantly. While I was cooking, he was around me trying to help in his usual way. I thought he had forgotten his manners. But not so, he is still the same. He is now holding the candle so I can write. It is after 8:00 and he is still near me. Well, dear Mimie, we have orders to be ready to leave tomorrow morning at 8:30 with rations for two days. But I don't think we'll stay more than a day. The Yankees, I hear, are in our vicinity. This is often rumored but as yet they have not arrived. Papa and your father are suppose to wait for our return before leaving. If they have not left on our return, I will write more. I wish I could write more but it is getting late. I received everything you sent but I would have been happier if the eggs had been raw. I'm sure you did your best. I'm glad of that. I wish I could receive as much now and then. Now I have to stop. I close with embraces (affection) and also for all the others and please tell them about me and please don't forget me. If Melie does not receive a letter, tell her John does not have time to write as he has to cook his rations to take with him. He is well--also Johan. Goodbye dear friend, J. G. Gremillion 4. Camp near Labadieville, July 7, 1863: Dear Mimie, I find someone who is going to Lafayette. I take advantage of that to write you a few words which will tell you that we are all well. I wrote you four days ago by Pierre Couvillon who left yesterday with a party of their negroes who had set off with the Yankees. I fear that he will be obliged to bury several of them before he arrives at his place because more than half are very sick with measles. I would like to tell you that I went to Mass last Sunday for the first time since I left home and I received Communion this morning. We are camped about two arpents from the Labadieville church. I expect to attend Mass Thursday and Sunday if we are still here. The Pastor gave medals and crucifixes to all who wanted to have them. I will go to get some today. I did not have time this morning as I had to hurry back to camp right after Communion to go get our rations and supplies. This is my job every morning since I rejoined my regiment at Alexandria. This exempts me from guard duty. I wish you could have the coffee that I drew this morning for our mess. It is better than the Confederate coffee. I suppose we will camp here for some time. All I can say is that it is time for us to stop walking. I believe that walking three months is enough. I saw many Yankee prisoners. They want no more of war. They say that if they can return home they will be finished with the war, and others say that they will fight as long as they are able. It is up to us to believe what is true, but they are like all of us, they have enough of it. They would be as us if the war was ended. I cannot write any longer. I must go drill. I have just returned from drill. I have just received a letter from Valsin, and one from Chequi in which I learned that Oscar and Leonie have been very sick but are better. Tell Clementine that Alexandre is well and that I don't have and have not had the time (page folded,cannot read word) _____ for him. Goodbye and regards to everyone. I embrace all of you. J. G. Gremillion 5. Camp near Alexandria, Feb. 11, 1864: This morning I received a letter from Angele in which she tells me that you have never received news of my whereabouts. I supposed you received the letter which I wrote and sent by the son of old Lefayen Lamon who promised to leave the letter in Marksville. The other letters which were written when I wrote have been received which makes me think you received mine. We had gone 40 miles on the other side of the Quachita River in Morehouse parish. From there we came 9 miles from Monroe where we camped several days. From there we left on Jan. 30 to come to Alexandria. We arrived here yesterday noon. We are camped two miles north of Alexandria. I think we'll stay here about ten days. I hear from others we will stay here a few days to rest, therefore, I'm going to send Faro (negro slave that stayed with Jean Baptiste even after the war) to pick up a few things I need. 1st pants, socks, soap, tobacco, a container for my tobacco (pouch). I have nothing to put my tobacco in. I have enough tobacco for six or eight days I suppose. My pants are almost worn out. I have only one pair of socks left--the others are worn. If you have any made send me two or three pairs if you can. If I knew I were going by there I would not ask you for such. Since I cannot go I'm obliged to ask for the things I need. Get everything ready so that Faro can come before we leave. I'm going to write Papa to send him right back. This is all I have to write. We are all well except Martin who is just getting over a case of pleurisy. He still feels his pain a little. I have learned from others that you had a baby girl (Agnes, their daughter) but I don't know when you had it. (Jean Baptiste obviously got home sometime during 1863). Tell Leonie I have a little squirrel for her. It's real tame. It eats pecans when we crack them for him. He also likes potatoes. Tell her when Faro goes back home I shall send her the squirrel. Don't forget to send me the things I asked for. Pants, socks, soap, tobacco, a tobacco pouch. I'm going to ask Papa for the tobacco. I have spent between 60 and 70 dollars since I left home--all for food. Send me something good. Tell me if you are at your parents house or ours. Goodbye, J. G. Gremillion I hope we can speak to each other soon. Tell me how you named your little girl. Tell Angele to send me the button she has so I can make a ring. 6. Rapides, May 3, 1864: My dear Mimie, I'm writing a few lines to let you know news of me which is very good at present. I hope this letter finds all of you in good health. I don't know if I can get a letter through as I heard that the Yankees are still in Avoyelles but I don't think they'll stay long. I think they escape as soon as possible. I also heard that they have left Alexandria. They are four miles south and are slowly retreating. We follow them but not fast enough to my liking. I wish I were already in Avoyelles. I hope I get there sooner or later. I'm sure Mr. Baptiste and Aristide gave you news of me which was better than you thought. Personally, I didn't think we'd escape the battle without injury. But God knows none of our men have been wounded. From Avoyelles two have been killed and three wounded. They are men from the bayou. One of which was wounded is Cirile Riche, but he is well I hear. I am waiting for cousin Francois today or tomorrow to give him my letter. He promised to pass by the camp to take our letter. Tell me just how things are with the negroes--those who left on their own and those who were forced to leave. What did they do and say before leaving? I feel worry for your father and mine who can't work anymore. Fortunately, there is still Faro who can help Papa. I think we'll be seeing you soon if we go down there to Avoyelles. Mimie, I'm sorry they have taken my gun but I am sure it's not your fault. Tell Edmond to try to come as soon as possible and send me a pair of trousers and soap. I have one pair of trousers left and I have no more soap. Tell him to bring me a plug of good tobacco. I don't have any left. I hope you received my letter I sent by Mr. Baptiste and Aristide in which I gave news of Ceran to Flavie. He is in the hospital in Shreveport but he is not very sick. I think that he will rejoin his company real soon. Why don't you and Flavie stay together? Goodbye, J. G. Gremillion. Tell me if they took my cattle and if they are all there. 7. Camp Allen, Dec. 26, 1864: My dear Mimie, I profit from this occasion-- Oliver Bordelon has just received his discharge--to tell you that I am well. So are all the others. However, Tiyen and Evariste have been ill but they are better now. Evariste does not have fever anymore. I tell you I was extremely happy to receive the letter you sent by the couriers. Valsin received one from Javelie written the same date in which she tells him that Pouponne is very ill. You tell me that Oscar has fever from time to time. Is it still the same illness that he had when I left or has that been over? What does he take? Now tell if Frank has a sore hoof. Is it the same hoof that was sore when I left or is it another? Tell me--does Oscar write Jesus? Do you have him at home? If you should know of someone coming this way and returning to Avoyelles, send me my coat. If it's not someone returning don't send it. Evariste received two plugs of tobacco. He gave one to Edmond and I that will last a while. I am sorry to hear you have nothing to eat but what can I do? I'm to far away to help. I thought Ceran had butchered pigs when he had his furlough. Well, be courageous. Some day I shall be there to help. Edmond has had jaundice for a few days now. Rumors are that we will leave for Alexandria or Natchitoches. We are really not sure. That's all---- Be courageous. Goodbye, J. G. Gremillion 8. Camp Pineville, Jan. 21, 1865: My dear Mimie, I profit from this occasion that Simon is here to tell you that we arrived in Alexandria since Wednesday. We are building cabins (camps). I suppose it will be a few days before each has his own. I have had some news of you since Dec. 7---the letter you sent by the couriers. I have nothing more to say. I hope to get a pass before too long. I cannot tell you which day, but it won't be before the end of next week or the following week. Tell Clara that Edmond says to send Ludger with Paulin and Elfage who are suppose to come Monday. If she cannot send him then to send him at the earliest possible time to bring him a few things. That's all. I'm fine. J. G. Gremillion 9. No place or date, but must have been about 1862 because of the content: Dear Papa, I have received your letter in which you told of the death of poor Martin. You can imagine the effect it had on me to receive such bad news. I ask God that I never again receive such distressing news while I am at war. You told me that you had taken Pouponne into your home. You did the right thing. I am perfectly satisfied about that. They have perhaps told you that we are fighting. There always was the possibility until today we would not fight. For example, they sent us into the line of battle. Fortunately, the infantry was not engaged, only the artillery, which fired a few rounds at the two gun boats which were there. They withdrew. I do not know if they were hit or not. We left on Monday during the night and we returned Tuesday morning. Papa, I think that you will try to exchange someone for me. I close with an embrace and in wishing you good health. My best wishes to all. J. G. Gremillion. Tell Bouque to give me news of my hogs and how many I have left. Give my best wishes to the negroes. Additional Comments: The original letters were written in French. I received copies for a few of them in the 1960's from Ted Normand. These had already been translated. In the early 1980's I obtained xerox copies from the LSU library in Baton Rouge which were in French. With the help of a French dictionary and Mr. William Nelson Gremillion I managed to translate the others. They were written to Jean's wife, Marie Louise (Bonnette) Gremillion and the last one to his father, Martin Gremillion. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/avoyelles/history/letters/civilwar22gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 17.2 Kb