Camp Enfield Helena Ark Nov 9^th 62

Letter #10

1^st day

 

My dear Wife

                        I received a few days ago a good long letter from you the first one I have received since I left and one from Vina and John. I was glad to get it I tell you. I went away by myself and read it many times. The letter you got from John was the best one we ever received from him. When you write tell him that I left the note with you to send him and but if I live I will make all right and if I fall he must not be hard on you. Tell him whare I am and that I will write him soon. Poor Vina you must write to her encourageingley I would write to her today but I have been on duty conciderable this week and I need rest. I was out on picket 24 hours / with the Capt. and 50 men. we wer what is called inside pickets. that is there was 3 lines out beyond us. I stood beside a road to examine passes and it kept me very busey for whare there is a large armey there is a great deal of passing both with teams and footmen. We did not see any rebels or have any trouble. we came across an old plantation and one of the boys picked up a handcuff and gave it to me I shall send it home if I can or take it with me when I go. There are hundreds of fugatives here but there is very little for them to do I dont know what they will do unless they are sent away whare they can get work I wish I could send a lot of them to Iowa. I spoke to the Capt. about it and he thinks we could get transportation for them if there could be an agent / sent down to go up with them and see that they had proper places. I have thought of writing to C.B.C. about it but I dont know as he could help them. I wish there could be something done for them I cannot bear to see little children and there parents suffer when they might be comfortable and happy and be a benefit to others I will write you more of them sometime it makes my heart ake to think of them. I never realised the condition of the slave till I came here. There was a large boat load of rebel prisoners just passed bound for Vicksburg to be exchanged they wer nearer brutes than the blacks. I have seen Vinson and Upton several times. There was a man shot himself accidentaly through the foot and the Surgeons cut it off but we all / think it might have been saved he belonged to Heubeys Company his name is Kelley. We sent 2 boxes of things to Mr Lunt a few days ago filled with things for our friends. I sent the old satchel that belongs to Mr Campbell in it is 1 blanket and 6 shirts the shirts cost me 50 cents each use them as you wish. I should think Richard would be ashamed of himself I shall never have any thing more to do with him I have lost all confidence. he must not trouble you any more or he will suffer for it. I should use the money John sent just as I chose but you can get a premium for the gold at the bank. The boys from Eden are all well but Jessie Hedges he has a bad cough. If any one comes down I wish you would send me some dried fruit some butter some hard cookies or in fact any thing would be acceptable. If you have a chance to let the farm to a better man than Williams do so but look out for your rights. Excuse bad writing as I have a poor place to write. Let me embrace you and the children and say good by for today Write often Ever your

George 

 

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I send you a little flower that I picked when out on picket also a manolia leaf that I picked in Jackson square Memphis. I will write more about the square next time. /

 

Letter #10

Day #2

Nov 10^th 1862

 

I wrote to you yesterday but I cannot mail it yet. The County bounty is to be paid as follows $25. on the first of Dec. next $25. in one year and $25. the next. I send you an order to collect mine. the two last payments draw 6 per cent interest from the first of Dec. I should not sell unless I could get what it is worth for it is perfectley good. I shall send you my pay as soon as I draw it. Dorrity is well. perhaps you will be able to get some one that will suit you better than Mrs. D. I worey a great deal about you but I hope all will be well. I hope / Mr Campbell is with you. Tell Ralph and baby they must keep the waggon and trumpet as nice as they can. I gave you the largest album that I could find. I want you to make yourself just as comfortable and hapy as you can. I am glad Lizzy Haskel did not come. I cannot tell you all the reasons why, but it is a very bad place wharever there is a large armey of men In fact my dear little wife there is is nothing good about war though I hope good may come of it. I wrote you that I was promoted to 2 Sargent. I do not get any more pay but I stand a little better chance The Capt. is very kind to me and he is a good man If you have a chance send him through me a little butter or something. Ever your own                                                                              

George

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