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(ZOUAVE COMPLAINS OF HIS UNIFORM)

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(ZOUAVE COMPLAINS OF HIS UNIFORM)
Three letters from Corp. Rufus Kemp, 165th New York Vol. (2nd Duryea's Zouaves), 10pp. total 8vo., who writes, in pencil, on the Red River Campaign and poor quality zouave uniforms, in small parts: "…[Jan. 11, 64]...One can't walk two steps before he has a whole plantation on his shoes…a great many men had to throw away their knapsacks and there were about 50 wagons broke down. I am still on Benedict's guard…our regiment does the provost duty in every town we go to…Col. Benedict has his quarters in a large plantation house…and we (his guard) live in the overseers house…Gen. Franklin and staff have gone to N[ew] O[rleans]. Gen. Emory takes command…[Apr. ?, 64]…I have come out of the two late battles…the first was April 8th. I think they call it Pine Woods [Sabine Cross Roads]. The other was Pleasant Hill April 9th…our loss in killed , wounded, and prisoners is about 100. Col. Carr is wounded in the arm. Shreveport is taken and Gen. Steele is driving the rebels towards us. We expect another fight soon…[June 3, 64]…this army corps is to be stationed along the river from Vicksburg to N. O. to keep the river free from the rebels. They are continually planting batteries at different places to stop the boats…the regiment is very small at present…we have about 250 recruits sent us…They is now a Co. I in our regiment. It was formed from the last lot of recruits. We have about 170 men away sick…our camp is situated right on the banks of the river…get me [a] pair of pants made out of some heavy stuff that will last some time. The pants we get out here do not last...I have drawn seven dollars over my clothing account last year all on account of so many pants being charged against me. They are made of poor flannel and are very short. They get thread bare in no time. We cannot always get them either….the paymaster has come up on the boat…the sutlers are flocking around a sure sign that he will be here soon. I will get my picture taken…soon…there is only a few nigger shanties around here…is Col. Carr recruiting in the city now?…". A nice grouping from a soldier who was wounded at the battle of Port Hudson, and in on of the last regiments to wear the distinctive zouave uniform. Very good.