.ODAy.NTE5MDY

[begin inverted writing at top of page:] Have been paid four months pay shall enclose Fifty dollars in this, and my wish is that you should use it for your own private use. As I know that your expences have been great since dear Sisters death. Shall send to or twenty dollars in my next. Remember me to Friends with many kises to my dear nease and nephews I Am Your loving Brother Carl [Inverted writing end] East Pascagoula Miss January 18th 1865 Dear Sister Sallie You will see by the heading of this letter, that w have retreated from our former position on five mile creek, and are now once more on the coast of Mississippi Sound at East, Pascagoula, as to the mater of the expedition whether is was a failure or not, I am not prepared to say, but one thing is certain that nothing has been gained: with the exceptions of a little [Te?], Rossin; and Turpentine For as to advanceing on Mobile by this rout, at this time of year, and in the condition in which the roads are, would surely be impractable, if not an impossibility, for the ground is a low flat sandy soil, with a stiff sod of wild grass, and below that a quick sand: so that when the sod is cut through a heavy post will sink