Louisiana Black Sergeant to the Commander of a Louisiana Black Brigade

Barrancas Fla.  Dec 27. 1864

Sir   I beg you the granterfurction of a Small favor   will you ples to Cross the Mississippia River at Bayou Sar La. with your Command & jest on the hill one mile from the little town you will finde A plantation Called Mrs Marther. H. Turnbuill & take a way my Farther & mother & my brothers wife with all their Childern & U take them up at your He^d Quarters. & write to me   Sir the ar ther & I will amejeately Send after them.  I wishes the Childern all in School.  it is beter for them then to be their Surveing a mistes.  Sir it isent mor then three or four Hours trubel   I have bain trying evry sence I have bin in the servis it is goin on ner 3. years & Could never get no one to so do for me   now I thinks it will be don for you is my Gen.  I wishes evry day you would send after us.  our Regt. ar doing all the hard fightin her   we have disapointe the Rebes & surprizeed theme in all. importan pointes   they says they wishes to Captuer the 82^nd Regt that they woul murdar them all   they Calls our Reg^t the Bluebellied Eagles   Sir my Farthers Name Adam Harris   he will Call them all to gether. & tel him to take Cousan Janes Childarn with hime

Joseph. J. Harris

Sir I will remain Ob your Soldiar in the U.S.A.