Civil War Medal of Honor Winner Letter 33rd Illinois Infantry Fort Esperanza

Civil War – Medal of Honor Winner Letter – 33rd Illinois Infantry – Fort Esperanza, Texas – December 21, 1863
 
Civil War – Medal of Honor Winner Letter – 33rd Illinois Infantry – Fort Esperanza, Texas – December 21, 1863
Exceptional 6-page autograph letter signed by Sgt. Edward M. Pike, Company __, 33rd Illinois Infantry, written from Fort Esperanza, off the coast of Texas, dated December 21, 1863.
Sgt. Pike was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 7, 1862, for his gallant actions at the Battle of Cache River (Cotton Plant), Arkansas, during a Union victory.
In this lengthy, highly detailed letter to his Uncle John, Pike recounts rejoining his regiment, the pleasant Louisiana campaign under General Franklin, marching over 400 miles, capturing sugar and cotton, enjoying tropical fruits, the stormy voyage to the Rio Grande, landing on St. Joseph and Mustang Islands, the capture of Fort Esperanza (described as “the best one I ever saw”), its heavy English-made guns (including 132-pounders), near-misses from enemy shells, and the current operations toward Galveston. He also mentions Major General Washburn commanding the expedition, thoughts on re-enlisting for another three years, family news, and life in camp.
The letter is written in clear, period handwriting with excellent content covering the Texas Coastal Campaign of 1863, including specific locations such as Brashear City, Berwick City, New Orleans, Natchez, Corpus Christi Bay, St. Joseph Island, Mustang Island, Matagorda, Indianola, and references to the French fleet off Mexico.
 
Transcription:
 
Fort Esperanza off
Coast of Texas
Dec. 21 1863
Dear Uncle John,
Perhaps you may think me negligent for not writing before and so I am, though I have had much to take up time since I rejoined my regiment, for we have been very active since. Well you know I was not very well when I left home, but soon got well and left St. Louis Sept 10 to join my Regt which was then at Brashear City, La. I had a dreary trip of 10 days down the water, but it afforded me ample time to see the towns and all there was to see. Natchez is the prettiest town I ever saw in the east or West, nicest streets well laid out, beside innumerable trees which are all vegetable kind does in the South, grows very sank, and bear such beautiful flowers. The magnolia is the largest and most beautiful growing on a tree, sometimes one hundred feet high.
New Orleans is a very neatly acquainted town, with some very extensive buildings and the streets are all paved with stone though there are none in the country, But they were brought principally from the eastern coasts. There are many things to attract the eye of the traveler, viz, Jacksons statue, Lafayette Square, and the Customs House which is said, when it is finished, will be the best in the States.
Our campaign in La. was the most pleasant one I ever experienced, because we had delightful weather and a beautiful country. We left Berwick City, 80 miles from New Orleans Oct 2d under Genl Franklin who commanded some more than 9000 men, and during the month of Oct and ten days of Nov we marched over 400 miles. One division of our corps had a severe fight with the enemy and whipped them badly. Killed 350 and took 600 prisoners. We lost about ¼ the no. killed. We captured about 7000 Hds sugar and a large amount of cotton. But what pleased the soldiers more were the tropical fruits such as figs, banana, and oranges, any amount of them, which they partook of freely and seemed to be healthy for them.
After a circuitous route through La. and driving the rebels out, we returned to New Orleans and the 15th Nov embarked on Steamship Clinton for the mouth of the Rio Grande, at which place we arrived after three days sail of stormy weather, but owing to the severity of the storm could not enter the harbor, but cruised up and down the coast 48 hours. We however tried to affect a landing three times but got aground each time, and came near having the vessel wrecked and the lives of all on board periled, but we finally got off and was ordered to Corpus Christi bay, saw part of the French fleet down on the coast of Mexico, and they (are) some large vessels. We landed on St Joseph Island after taking three cannon on Mustang Island (and 150 prisoners), And have marched to the head of this Island (Matagorda) distance 75 miles and captured this fort, which is the best one I ever saw. It has mounted in it 11 guns, 24-32-64-84 and 132 pounders …. English manufacture. We took it after two days fighting, did not lose many men in my regiment. My company came very near having some of them killed as there was 132 pound shells struck in our midst, but did not explode. We did not take many prisoners for they (the rebels) evacuated.
Yesterday we went up the bay to Indianola on a boat (33d Regt) reconnoitering but did not see any rebels, but today our gunboats captured a schooner loaded with supplies for the rebels. It is very ? here, sometimes very warm and in 15 minutes be cold enough to freeze & chill anyone through. It has not frozen water but once here this winter.
Our next move will be on Galveston we think. Maj. Genl. Washburn, formally representative to Congress from Wisconsin commands this expedition. He is one of the three brothers representatives from Mi, Ill, & Wis. The 13 & 15 Mi Regts are here and I have seen several old acquaintances among them. The old troops are reenlisting by regiments nearly for another three years, that is ? troops. I have an idea to reenlist again and help finish rebellion as I have been so far. It seems as though I ought to see the end. I know there cant be any harder times or fiercer fighting then we have been through and I’ve stood it all. There is only one thing that prevents me, that is if mother thinks I had better not, I shant, otherwise I shall enlist to see it through as I deem it my duty. The folks at home were all well the last time I heard. Noah and the girls going to school, Alpheus is at Charleston, & Ivory is in Tenn. I have written this letter in a tent, where no less than eight have been having an evenings chat. Give my love to Aunt Marian and all my cousins and tell them I would love to see them all. I wrote to Aunt Alice not long since. Write soon to me and I would be very glad to have a letter from all the family. From your nephew Edward M Pike.