Letters were contributed by W. M. Caddell

Dear Father - La., May 29th 1864

As I have another opportunity of sending you a letter I hasten to drop you a line to let you know that Robert has reached our camp well and hearty, & also to let you know that the Feds has got Dick again, on Wednesday the 18th and our men had a fight with the Feds and Bayou Deglaize near our old Breastworks Capt. Holley was sent out on a Scout before the engagement took place (I think across the Bayou) and Dick was with him, after the fighting was over there was 2 wounded men left at Doctor Crenshaws near the Federals, Capt. Holly left Dick and one other man to wait on those two wounded men, & he went off. Dick setup nearly all night watching for the Yanks, but they did not come, The next morning, or second morning, after they were left there, Dick and his friend was down at the Bayou a short distance from the house, & before they knew it the Feds was all around them, about 50 of them - and took them both off without hurting them, and that day I think, from what I can learn, they got on their boats & left. They got a splendid horse that Dick had, Robert went to the place where the Yanks took him, a few days afterwards, & Mrs. Crenshaw told him how they got him & his friend. Robert has his blanket, Robert said the man that was with Dick had been off after their clothes somewhere & had got back to the Bayou. Dick met him there and was helping him accross when the Feds came upon them, so they took their clothes too, but it is uncertain whether they will let them keep them or not, as they have such a hankering for that, that belongs to other men. Robert says he thinks from what he heard among the officers, there was a fair chance for another exchange of prisoners soon, and he thinks that Dick will be exchanged before long - it was but 3 or 4 miles from where they got Dick to where their boats were, so I recon they did not break him down very bad before they got there  Robert says Anthony was not in the fight, was gathering (Beenes?) was well and hearty. He also said Dick was in fine health when the Yanks got him. I have been one of the lucky dogs so far, they have not caught or killed me, and I am now rested, & ready for them again but I would rather they would not shoot quite so close to me again as they have done. Robert reached Major's Command about the last of April and got his pony he left with Dick the day we went into the fight at Mansfield. he rode then, and went in the Company Dick belongs to and was with them until after Dick was captured he then heard we had got back (Back) to Alexandria and he went to where Dick was captured and found out all he could about him and then came right on to this camp. he is now in very good health, he says he was sick when he was exchanged & never minded much until he got his pony & got to riding. he thinks the cavelry service is the service for him, although he says it is very hard service. he says Majors' Brigade was ordered to Monganzie a little town on the Atchafalaya (Chafalyer) which is some 30 or 40 miles from our old Breastworks & below. I think Parsons Brigade is between the Atchafalaya, Miss River, where I hope they will sink the Yankies Transports every time they attempt to pass the river.

The good news we got the other day from the other side of the river (& which I mentioned in a letter to Mrs. Cook a few days since) comes confirmed. I do hope the Yankie Scoundrels will get whiped every time they attempt to fight until they acknowledge our independence, which they must do sooner or later. Our Boys the Yanks had, say some of them are very tired of the war, while others talk like they would kill the women & children, or sujugate the South, their sort is brave fellows, we sent some of that kind to Tyler where they could be better taken care of than they could here, and I think one of the Villains we took at the Saline fight in Ark (a house burner) went up a Limb, though I do not know it to be so.

Our Regiment has sent a man home for clothing for the men for next winter, he wants all the clothing that is to be delivered at Belton to be delivered by the 15th of August - Robert & me will want some good heavy Pantaloons, Shorts & Drawers. Dick had Roberts Drawers and the Yanks got them. I have 2 Tolerable good (good) pair yet He has one so we will make out until the weather gets cold, but I fear that will not be long as it appears like the weather will stay cold all this year. This leaves me well & hearty, I am anxious to see another letter from home, tell all howdy - that better day will come. Your son. John C. Caddell

(Richard "Dick" was the youngest boy, member of Capt. John F. Smith's Co, known as Bouldin's Co I, 17th Texas Vol. Inf. Robert was 6 yrs older, and married Sarah Acrey, sister of Sallie Caddel's husband. Anthony, 5th son, was in 15th Regt of Tex. Vol., enlisted in Navarro Co. John C., the oldest, also in Bouldin's Co., Smith's Co. Here there was news from 4 of the 7 still living and in the CSA.)