Helena Dec 11^th 1862

Letter #14

 

My dear Wife

                                    I have received 2 letters from you since I came back from the Expedition, but I will try and give you an account of our tripp and then answer your good letters We started from here with about 10 thousand troops nearley one fourth Cavalry on the 27^th of Nov. went down the river about 10 miles to Delta (You will see it on the map that I send with this) and camped for the night and started the next morning and marched 27 miles on the road out past Moon Lake towards Cold / Water I shall not try to tell you how we suffered or of the suffering we saw at the plantations we passed, but if I live I will tell you all. we slept soundley on the ground I did not eat any supper for I was so tiered I could not, but I felt better in the morning and ate hearty of hard bread and meat and we marched at day break we got along much better today marched slower and onley went 15 miles to camp No 1 on Cold Water here we camped and made ourselves as comfortable as we could. The advance had made a pontoon bridge across the river of boats and material that we brought with us. Gen C.C. Washburn was in comand of the advance and Gen. Hovey in comand of the whole. Washburn found a small force about 2 miles beyond the river with a lot of slaves falling trees to block the road but he soon put them to rout and went on to Panola and destroyed the RR bridge and tore up the track he had a good force of Cavalry and a battery of 4 guns. he stayed at Panola till Dec 2 and made Price think that we wer going to atack Grenada and Price sent all the force he dared to Grenada during the time and Dec 2^d Washburn made a dash and crossed to the bridge just below Prices camp and destroyed the bridge and tore up the track. The rebels showed a little fight and we wer ordered across the river to march to his assistance We marched about 5 miles as fast as we could and met a messenger ordering us back saying all was right. We left camp about 5 Oclock and got back about 11 at night. it was rainey and mudy and both man and beast suffered much. We camped on the other side of Cold Water (Camp No 2) and stayed till the 5^th. We wer called up in line of battle once while there and ordered to sleep on our arms but no one troubled us The soldiers striped the plantations of every thing and the slaves followed us when they could but many of our men treat them so badley that it is poor encouragement for them. I went to several plantations and there is more misery on on either of them in one day than there is in Eden Township in a year. On the 5^th we wer ordered back We took 3 days to come home and got along very well. Dick the black boy that came with me helped me much and many others helped the soldiers but still they dam the Nigger. We got back a week ago today all in good health. you will see by the map I send with this just how it was. I received the papers you sent me and hope you will send some more. I have wrote you every week when I have not been away I know you have not got all my letters. I was glad to get Mr Campbells letter and shall write him oftener / I never felt worse than I did on reading your letter. I love you Emelia better than ever before I would not have you think that I am growing cold, and if I seem so it is because I am placed in a diferent condition from what I ever was before. I have done wrong Emelia very wrong and I shed tears to think if it, but it is not as bad as you have been told. I was foolish and weak enough to use tobaco a few times while in Clinton but I did not smoke and chew all the time as someone had the goodness to tell you. I do not wish to justify myself, but you shall not be troubled any more by my useing tobaco I never intended to deceive / you Emelia my dear wife but should have told you all. Now Emelia I want you to tell me who told you about it. I want you to be sure and tell me in your next letter. Hoodley told me that all Low Moor was enquireing of him before we left if I did not drink or use tobaco I dont care any thing about it but they had beter keep still and mind there own business or will tell something that will make them look wild, but say nothing Emelia I shall be true to you forgive me for doing wrong and believe me when I say I am as moral a man as there is in the 26^th Reg. It keeps me busey now as I am acting Orderley but I get along well and I think the men like me. Lieu. McDill arrived here yesterday / from Vicksburg. Maj Clark will be here soon. they are paroled and I think they will be discharged. you say you are going to send me a box for Christmas I had made up my mind to write you not to send any but if you have started it or got it all ready to start let it come. I think it will come safe by Express there has been several boxes sent and they all came safe. If you have not sent the box tell Mr C. to send Dick a primer I want him to learn his letters. I sent you an order for $10 so please let me know if you receive it. I received a letter from Vina she is well but so loneley. Write me all Emelia I shall write every week and sometimes more. The corn I got of Schuyler was not the best and you ought not to pay high for it. Let me kiss you my dear Wife and say Good night. Ever your George

 

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I was glad of the stamps as I was out

 

I shall write to Mr C. in a day or two and after that regular

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