Camp Moore 7 o'clock at night

Oct. 13th, 1861

Dr Brother

I take the pleasure of writing you a few lines which leaves me enjoying fine health. Your letter through Sil. Joiner came safely to hand, and was happily rec. Jord our boys are all taking the measles. James Beaird, John Boatright, J. W. Cross, Charly Rabun, Joe Clayton, Same Love are all down with them. John Poston and John Picket have had them but are well. There is a soldier buried here every day. They all dies of measles. Camp Moore is plum healty with that exception. Jord we rec news of the glorious victory won by our little fleet at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Camp Moore is in a flow of excitement. There is two regiments here at this time, and was both drawn out in column this evening and the news of the victory was read to us by Col. Preston Pond after which three cheers was call for from the soldiers at Camp Moore, and cheers it was. I never heard the like in all my life. I wish that you could have heard it. It was hurra for Jeff Davis and the mud Turtle. We are all ready for the Yankees to attack N. O. If we are call for we can go there in four hours. Our regimental officers have been to the city. They say about 20,000 Southern men can whip the whole north. They say that we have the city so well fortified that the Yankees can never take it. There is 200 cannons placed around the city. I need not give you the result of the victory at the mouth of the Mississippi for you have it in the papers before this time. Another Regt. has left here since I wrote you. They went to N. O. Jord the number of our Regt. has changed. We are the 17th. Regt. Our company is the center company in the Regt. and will carry the flag. Jord you spoke as if you had some notion of volunteering. I advise you to stay at home. You could not stand the fairs and hardships of a soldier. Tell Rufe and Henry to stay home until I come back but don't discourage those young men in old Union in any way, as some of them has no sand in their craws no how. This is not to go any further, but Jord I do honestly believe that there are individuals in Union parish that would see the South subjugated before they would lend an arm to defend. I would not take a years wages for what I already have learned about military affairs. My leaf is full. Write me often.

E. J. Lee