Friday evening - Well here I am at Camp Carlton.  I arrived at N Orleans this morning about 10 & took the 1 oclock train for this place.  I found the Regt had nearly all gone west - of our own Co. there are here. Fred Campbell, Terry Swift, Gilbert Wilcost, Wm Gregory - J. Morgan - P Darling - Wm Woodrow - John Harrison.  They are some yet up the River - the health is improving. my health has improved verry much since I left home.  I do not know when I will get to the Regt - as they do not allow us to go only in pretty large companies. you know I feel somewhat disappointed, for I had hoped to get up with them before they got so far away - I have not learned yet whether there has been any change in Co matters or not - Our Reg left Brasure Citty about three weeks since and are now about two hundred miles beyond Brasure.  I cannot give you any information respecting to our movements in Texas - I heard Lieut Houston say this evening that he thought the whole force would be recalled, but this is mere speculation - as we can have no correct idea of what will follow the recent union victories at the ballot box in the north - Saturday morning - Oct 31st  good morning my dear pet - only two weeks this morning since I left Davenport - & yet I am almost homesick this is a cool chilly morning - yesterday it rained & it has made it damp.  I would be glad to have a letter from you to day. some of the boys got letters yesterday written the 7th.  If it should take yours so long to come as that I may look a good while. Marion went out to the Reg about a week ago. he is quite hearty.  There are only about one hundred & seventy-five with the Reg. & at Brasure. & about 75 here - I don't think the 23 will ever get to be a verry large Regt again unless we are recruited in some way - well I have Just paid a dime for a qt of good new milk. - we can exchange our surplus meat, coffee &c for onions, potatoes, &c, so that we can live pretty well.  Apples - from one to four or five cts. oranges the same. I must indulg to some extent.  Now I am anxious to hear from home.  I want to hear whether you have succeeded in getting a school & where you are boarding, & how you are enjoying yourself & if you hear from Cy.  I am in suspense about him.  The mail will start north this morning - & I will close hoping that you are enjoying yourself firstrate.  Tell me all about your health.  give my love to all my friends - Direct your letters to the 23 via Cairo the same as you did before  I we came down here. the mail is stoped here & the mail belonging to the here is taken out - good bye dearest.  remember me in your prayers & may our Heavenly Father guide & protect my dear wife  Your husband ever.  L A Garrett
