Savannah, Ga., Jan. 2^nd 1865.

 

My Dear Mother:

                        Your letter of Dec. 16^th came to hand yesterday, and I was very glad again to hear from home. I hope that regular mail communication will soon be reestablished again.

 

            I will resume the account of our trip. In my letter to Jerusha, I left myself sleeping by the roadside. After resting about one hour and a half I arose and proceeded onward. Three miles walk brought me to camp. My night's walk had sharpened my appetite and I immediately set to work and prepared a bountiful breakfast of sweet potatoes, coffee, and meat, after which I lay down again not dreaming that we would start before 10 or 11 o'clock. But about 7 A.M. came an unexpected order to start again. It took every one by surprise. We had been deprived of rest for two nights in succession, and most of the Regiment were still in profound slumber. But off we / must go, most of the boys breakfastless. We took a sort of grim satisfaction in knowing that such marching couldn't last long, for neither mules nor men could stand it. We soon came to McDonough, through one edge of which we passed. Thence we passed on to Jackson, marching steadily until about 4 P.M. when jaded, sleepy and sore, we camped, having marched 19 miles, through a fine forage country. Our Regiment was camped in store houses through the town, as a sort of provost guard. I occupied a warehouse which had been used as the office of the rebel tax collector, and which was stored full of cotton, which was the next morning rolled out and burned. In one store house we found a large quantity of salt, and I may as well add here that we found plenty of salt everywhere throughout our trip. Of forage I may as well speak here. Sweet potatoes and meat were our daily food, being everywhere found in large quantities. Besides which we frequently obtained chickens, turkeys, molasses, sugar, honey, corn meal, rice, peanuts, etc., etc. / We fared sumptuously, and this too, although only about half rations of government stores were issued us. But to return to the trip. That night we enjoyed a good night's rest, and arose considerably refreshed the next morning. About 8 A.M. we left Jackson, which is a small village of perhaps 800 inhabitants, and marched to the Ocmulgee river, distant 9 miles. Arriving about 2 o'clock P.M. we waited until dark for the pontoon to be laid when we crossed over, and camped 2 or 3 miles from the bank. The passage of the river showed us that Macon was to be passed by us, as we were already now on the east side, whilst Macon was on the west. Milledgeville we now thought would come in our way.

 

            About 8 o'clock on the 19^th, we again started. Eight miles march brought us to Monticello, a very pretty little village of 1000 or 1500 inhabitants; that is it would have contained that many had they all been at home; Very few remained however. Here I saw the strange sight of roses in bloom in the / garden, as well as many other flowers. The day was a quite warm one, and the sweat rolled off us profusely. It had rained the night before, and many of the blankets and overcoats were wet and heavy. Very many threw these articles away, and in some places the ground was literally strewed with them. I was thankful that you had not sent my overcoat. The day's march was 13 miles.

 

            The morning of the 20^th saw us again on the road. The day's march was without special incident. We passed through a fine rolling country, abounding in rich plantations. Afar in the distance low ranges of hills were seen, heavily timbered with pine. The view was often beautiful. Night set in with a drizzling rain which continued during the night. Ensconced in our shelter tents we slept soundly and were in no wise discommoded by the rain.

 

            But I must stop here for the present, promising to resume again at the first opportunity. Rumor has it that we leave to-morrow or next day on transports, bound we know not whither. This need make no difference in the direction of your letters. Direct to Savannah. They will reach me anywhere. My Company and Regiment are the most essential things in directing a letter. The place makes very little difference. Don't direct ever to the Christian Commission without my telling you to do so. Those letters sent to Atlanta thus directed will never reach me. For they do not know my Regiment, and as we have left Atlanta no doubt they have sent them to the Dead Letter Office, Washington.—I am glad to learn that my check arrived safely. I hope you have received the money ere this.—William Pfeiffer is detailed in a negro pioneer Regiment which is being organized. He will probably receive a commission. I presume that I might also have had a position there, but such a place isn't exactly to my taste.—I prefer to remain a white Corporal. William wishes to be remembered to you. /

 

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I hope you will write as often as possible. Remind Hiram in your next letter that I have not heard from him for a long time.

 

            I don't have much time to write, but will do so as often as possible.

 

            In excellent health.

                       

Your aff. Son,

SOURCES