Mobile, June 25th, 1865

Dear Sister,

I take the opportunity to write a few lines to you hoping they will find you all well as I am at present.

I had given up the idea of writing anymore but as we are likely to stay here a month or six weeks longer I thought best to write one more letter. We haven't had any mail for a month. I don't know what's the reason unless it goes to Shrevesport, our Division Headquarters, or its stopped at New Orleans. There's been so much talk of us going to Texas that I think it must have stopped.

I shouldn't care so much about mail if I knew that the hundred dollars had arrived safe. I suppose it has but supposing is not satisfaction.

We was visited by Governor Lewis on the sixteenth. He expected to find us ready to start for home, he was surprised to find us otherwise. There's a great deal of uneasiness and dissatisfaction among the men. They might have sent home nine or ten Regt's a month ago. We are doing nothing but our own work and making more expense. We shall have to help pay the taxes. I don't care about the 4th of July if they would only get us home for harvest. I feel so contented that our time is so near out.

The state of things on the Rio Grande looks rather suspicious. The French and Austrians is landing troops in Mexico. Some of our generals is already making speeches in favor of going to Mexico. They are trying to get the men to enlist. I think they will have to make a good speech before I am persuaded to go. There's two parties in Mexico, one for and one against Maxamilian. I don't care whether they have an emperor or president. There's two parties of them. They can fight it out like we did.

We have had considerable rain here lately. Any quantity of melons for money, but to day Fifty cents to three dollars apiece. Green apples three small ones for a dime. Give my love to all. Accept the same for yourself from your brother Joseph Slagg.

You needn't write unless you have a mind to.