New Orleans, Sept. 7, 1863.
I open my letter to enclose a couple of cartes, one of
General Grant, the other you will probably recognize. I will send the cartes of
the residue of the staff to-morrow. They were all taken hurriedly, the weather
intensely hot and the time noon, when we were all pretty tired, having had no sleep
for two or three nights. . . . Some day,
when I 'm in a better humor, and get all my toggery together, I 'll have one
taken in full uniform for you. The Adjutant-General of the United States lent
me his coat to be taken in, and his figure being smaller than mine, makes me
look pinched in the breast; it was as much as I could do to button it over.
General Grant is much improved this morning, and I think
will be out soon again. Meanwhile, we are all very quiet and comfortably
provided for. My diet being soft shell crabs and pompinot and nice fish that is
brought me from the Gulf. General Banks calls, and all the other generals, and
we are at no loss for society.
P. S. — There is a group of the General and his staff
finishing while I write. Send in a few days.
SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of
Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 335-6
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