Clara, S.C., Sister Mary, St. Michael's, Convent, Louisiana, to Father Francis Burlando, C.M., Emmitsburg, Maryland, 1863 July 15

For several days Sister could not bring herself to write, such is the chaos. She begged Father M. Rubi, C.M., who was on his way down to New Orleans after the battle of Donaldson, to write Burlando and tell him all he knew. Rubi must have told him how crowded their house was for several days and nights with men, women and children, black and white; they had been burning Donaldson while he was there. There is no more Donaldson. The few houses left are those on the church grounds, theirs and the church. On the evening of June 30 they were told to leave their house and it would be burned in an hour and a half. It was a Federal officer who told them. Two small carts took the trunks to their ordinary refuge, Mrs. Winchester. That night the Confederates erected batteries on the coast to shoot all the transports and gunboats, and Mrs. Winchester's house was shelled. They all left for the Brulés in the Bayou and wanted to take them, but she thought it would be better for them to go to the convent. So far their house was not burned, so the Sisters have returned. Sister Clara has been very with chills and fever. Mrs. Winchester's house is a complete ruin. Poor lady, so pious, so good to the poor! There was another battle near Donaldson on the Bayou about two miles from their house. One beautiful house belonging to Mr. Gannié was burned to the ground. Old Mrs. Buquoi was burned to the ground. Old Mrs. Buquoi was on Mr. Mire's plantation in a small school house lent her. One of the shells passed between her mattresses while she was in bed dying. She is about Santi Zozo's age. The latter went to the Bayou. Three weeks ago a Federal soldier killed three of their cattle. It will require years and years to rebuild. The Religious of the Sacred Heart are again their refuge with the same kindness and charity. Madame A. Shannon, R.S.C. desires to be remembered to Burlando. If rumor and reports are true, they may see Burlando soon, for then he could come via St. Louis without fear of privateers. Burlando should come. God will not permit anything to happen to him, no more than to Father Stephen V. Ryan, C.M.. She is glad he did not come with Ryan because they need him now more. ` A.L.S. 4pp. :: VI-2-g A.L.S. pp.. 4to.