Camp Salomon Miss. opposite Helena Ark.

Dec. 3th 1862.

 

Dear Sister,

I have a little leisure this morning which I propose to spend in writing home though is not long since I wrote home & only two days since I sent a letter to Martha at Hardwick with one to Cousin Mary. I am very well and having a nice time. I believe I never was healthier than now. When my whiskers get out pretty long and it is convenient I will send my picture that you may see I am the very same brother. I have not shaved or clipped my beard since a little before we left Madison. I still retain what little white complexion Vermont gave me. Western people have not so clear & white complexion as Easterners and I have not turned brown yet. For the past few days it has rained most of the time & I presume the rainy season has commenced. Where it is clay here it is very muddy when it rains. Our troops suffer much when it rains for they have only picket or shelter tents which are very small and made of common cotton cloth—a poor protection against rain. I believe since I wrote you about 12 000 of the Army at this place has left us, gone down the river about twelve miles & marched into Miss. to cut off Price's retreat. We have not heard from them since they went away. None of our regiment are with them. Last Sunday I drew ten days provisions for our regiment. I will give you a list of the articles that you may see whether I did a good day's work or not 8 bbls of salt pork 18 sacks of potatoes The fresh beef I did not

8 " " shoulder bacon 5 bbls " sugar draw but took an order

8 " " sides " 2 " /80gal Vinegar for it to be drawn as we

3375 lbs Fresh Beef 112 lbs of Candles want it. I did not draw all

20 bbls Flour 5 boxes (357 lbs) Soap the vinegar into 10 gal.

72 " Hard Crackers 1 bbl & 60 lbs of Salt There was also 25 gal of

6 " Beans

1½ " Rice molasses our due which they could not supply. Two

3 " Hominy four mule teams, their drivers & twenty men went

8 Sacks(100 lbs each) Coffee over with me to take the stuff, aboard the boat

15 lbs of Black Tea which took / the supplies across the river to our camp. I went over at 8 a.m. & by dark all the supplies were at our tent. I send with this letter a piece of an old account book I found on one of those deserted plantations when out on that foraging trip the other day about which I wrote to Laura. You will notice in one place the author shows he has a claim against David Crocket who is probably the veritable person himself, and also that he sold one acct to Crockett. I also send in this letter five dollars to be paid to Geo.W. Reed on my insurance policy. I want father to take a receipt for 12 dollars from him dating the receipt from Aug. 12. or that the extra percent commenced then. I sent two dollars to George in a letter, five to him in a letter home & this five. I want father to keep the receipt until I call for it. I shall expect now soon a letter in answer to some written from this place. All thus far have been directed to Madison and forwarded from there.

 

If I omit to speak of anything here which you would wish to know, remind me and I will do the best I can. I believe I have written of everything that we have been connected with. This portion of the army has not been very active for the passed few months. The officers have been too much engaged in cotton speculation to desire a removal. 

 

Love to all. Write often

 

Your dear brother

To John De Merit.

 

Bell.

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Read this list of rations to GAR Tunbridge 12/15 94

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