Letter, A. Shaw to Mary Shaw; 5/14/1862

              At Home � Sunday  May 11, 1862
Dear Mother � I merely write a few lines to let you know how I am & I am sorry that I have no improvement in my health to relate.  I remain about the same � just able to ride out in the field stay a few minutes and come back and lay down.  Since you was here Rinnie has had the measles.  She has not entirely recovered yet but is up.  We suppose that it was brought here by some sick Soldiers from Corinth.  None of the rest of the family have taken it as yet.  We hear that the Yankee Gunboats have destroyed part of the R.Road bridge at Manchac Pass between here & New Orleans & killed 20 or 30 of our men.  Also of the Battles at Corinth and in Virginia.  You no doubt hear of them too.  We are done planting Corn.  Have some to work the first time yet.  The Corn is small but looks well.  I am plowing up what Cotton we had planted and will plant Peas.  The rust has spoiled our Oats and wheat.  There was more than two hundred soldiers left Brookhaven yesterday.  One Company of Artillery from Natchez and a Company of Infantry from Lawrence County.  We are needing rain and as it is Thundering this Evening I hope we will have it.  Tell Mollie that I thank her very much for her present of Strawberries.  You must come and see us again.
                       Yours Affectionately  A. Shaw