Hardey, Father Richard B., Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 September 27

Blanc's of the 21st reached Hardey and although he is able to attend to his duty, he still feels the effects of his several attacks of fever. Hardey wonders how he lived the night Father John Baptist Babonneau died. He died with great resignation and piety and made all his arrangements with composure. 7 days after that, at Port Gibson, Father John Andrew Fierabras expired. The fever has been more fatal here than in New Orleans. Just before it commenced Hardey visited the Bend in Louisiana and preC.B. Minnis and Mr. Fitzwilliams for death. They were the oldest Catholics of that settlement. Father Francis Xavier Leray and Father Julian M. Guillou are in good health. Hardey saw the list of new bishops in the Herald. He supposes Bishop James Oliver Vandevelde will not take charge for 6 or 8 weeks. It seems the fever has visited the whole coast on both sides of the river as far up as Memphis. :: VI-1-f A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.