Giraud, Father J.M., Grand Coteau, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1864 March

All went well between New Orleans and here though the expenditures are a little higher than calculated. They paid out $217, $43 each. The pastor of Pont Breau had them taken to Vermilionville. At Father F.J. Foltier's they had nothing to pay. It was impossible to find anyone to take them for less than $4000 so they came to Grand Coteau. The priests received them like friends; the next day they were to go by way of Opelousas to Washington. At the convent of the Sacred Heart he purchased two mules and a wagon for $550. The Ladies wished to be paid in New Orleans bank notes; Father J. Francis Abbadie, S.J. advanced him $400. Odin is to reimburse Abbadie from the account of Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis. This sum is to be given to Mr. Marins, bearer of this letter; he is trustworthy. Giraud would have a lot of trouble if he took charge of Sister St. Ambroise, R.U.; they say she wants her own way. She is the least reasonable of the three. Odin is to tell Father Napoleon Joseph Perché that Annie Mitchell's agent gave him $30 on the Bank of Louisiana and $5 on the Crescent Bank, two banks which suffer a strong discount. Everything is now ready; they will leave March 30. ` P.S. The Superior would like to receive their money through Marins or whoever is coming. The Yankees are en route to Alexandria. They are estimated to be 20,000 men. General Kirby Smith says if there are less than 30,000 he will fight them. The Texas troops have arrived. General James P. Major and General Thomas Green are said to be at Natchitoches and General John B. Magruder at Shreveport. Everyone is convinced that they will be attacked. Today it was learned the General Walker had attacked them at Homesville and that a large number of Yankees had refused to fight. Through a misunderstanding with Father John B. Bellaclas Giraud forgot his small chalice and a leather belt; Odin is to keep them safe. :: VI-2-h A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.