Chambodut, Father Louis C.M., Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 July 9

Last Thursday he received a letter from Mr. _____ Berthier of Liberty announcing that Father Peter Berthet had fallen to the altar while preaching. He asked Father Charles Padey to take his place and send him to Galveston. Yesterday Berthet arrived much better; as soon as he is recovered he will return. He is sorry to hear that Father Stephen Rousselon and Father Napoleon Joseph Perché are so ill. Last week someone told him that if Odin did not moderate his zeal he could not remain at New Orleans very long. He is happy to know that Father Claude M. Dubuis, C.M. is getting better and he wonders if they will see him soon. He has seen Mrs. Chapuy Chapuise and he performed Odin's commission. She thanks Odin for having seen Guittet and Co., and she does not wish them to send it because the boats are not sure and the other way costly. Yesterday at 5 p.m. Dr. _____ Heard asked him for the Ursuline College to make a military hospital of it. He asked 24 hours for reflection and told him that in times of war the state has a right to take but he has a right to protest. Heard told him Mother St. Pierre Margaret Harrison, R.U. had offered the convent for a hospital and her nuns for nurses. The news surprised him and he wonders what he should do. His sister Sister Marie Thérése Chambodut, R.U. is a dupe of Mother St. Ambroise's R.U. intrigues and will never recover her health at Liberty under the present regime. Mother de Ste. Marie, R.U. of San Antonio would like to have her, and Mother St. Pierre says that she would receive her with pleasure. Times are very hard. Galveston will soon be a deserted city. It is said that Captain James Alden who conducts the blockade is a polite, keen gentleman, a smart, cunning Yankee, able for his mission. He has around ten small boats, but it appears that he does not wish to take prisoners. Mr. _____ Sheldon is colonel and Judge _____ Thompson his lieutenant; it is too bad that they are at odds. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. French 3pp. 8vo.