December 16, 1863
            Matagorda Bay, Texas

			Matagorda Bay, Texas December the 16th 1863


Dear companion and children
I embrace this another opportunity to let you no that I am yet on the sand among the soldiers  
I am able to consume al the rations I get at present  My earnest prayer is that this will reach 
and find you all well  I will now proceed to give you a short history of our late adventures  
On the 10th of this instant we left orleans on the steamer Sally Robinerson  Run down 70 
miles and landed just above forts Jackson and Philip  Lay on bord over night  Next day the 
11th we embarked on the seam ship Blackstone  250 of us  the balance on the St Mary 
and cut out about 12 oclock --- at about 4 P.M.  We hove out on the gulf as --- the ship 
got in motion  We commenced getting --- position was on herrican deck  It wasnt a half 
hour --- I had to make my way down to the lower deck --- vomit  I found J.W. Simmons 
thare to join me  I was about the first man that vomited but I soon had the majority engaged 
with me  O but I was so sick  I soon puked up all I had in me but my guts  But still kept 
trying to vomit more and kept at it all night  Thare came up a rain and wind in the night and 
it seamed as if the ship would turn over  I heaved around all night but got no rest  Next 
morning I got back to our quarters on top and lay down  Could not eat a bite ------- being 
out of sight of land 2 days and nights  We landed --- ankored off the the bar here at the mouth 
of this bay about 3 miles from land  As our ship drew 13 feet of water she could not go 
nearer to shore  We ankored Sunday the 13th about 11 oclock AM and lay at anchor till 
next morning when the steamer Alabama took us ashore  We are camped on the sand here 
clost to the sea bay  We cant get any fresh water  Thare isnt a tree visible any where  We 
have to go about a mile and gather small chunks and sticks to cook with  This nothing more 
les than a sand plain  It is verry windy here and the sea roars like a continual train  We onley 
have our gum blankets for shelters  We are as much as 500 miles from New Orleans I 
understand --- past galveston 100 miles or more  What our --- opperations will be is more 
than I can tell --- have given you a short sketch of our trip as best --- and this is about all that 
I have to write today  But Ill say in conclusion still let your prayers follow me though far away  
I still feel that it is good to be religious  Each night sence we have been here I have secreted 
myself a little aside from camp and got down in the sand and returned thanks for the mercies 
that has followed me  I still expect so to do  So enough at present  Take special care of all 
my Texas letters  Direct yours as before  You need not expect to heare from us veny often  
Extend my love to all the friends  
Your husband as ever  
D.S. to Rachel Morgan

Thare is all sorts of the nicest little seashells here I ever ---