Iuka, Miss. Sunday, Aug. 24.

 

Dear Sister:

                        I arrived at this place at about 10 o'clock this morning. This place is about 22 miles from Corinth, on the Ohio Memphis and Charleston R.R. It is a very pleasant place for an encampment, there being mineral springs here. It has been a summer resort in times of peace. I received a hearty welcome from the boys here, and I think from the looks of things here that I shall like it very much. I find the weather pretty warm here but no more so than some days we have had in Marietta.

 

            On the whole my trip here has been a pleasant one, notwithstanding many vexatious delays on the route. I enjoyed the ride / over the beautiful prairies of Illinois very much. It was a strange sight for me to look off in the distance and as far as the eye could reach see nothing but one vast level expanse with, sometimes, not a tree to break the view. The broad Mississippi, the Mighty "Father of Waters", was also a magnificent sight. At Columbus we were detained nearly 24 hours, waiting for a train. This place you will recollect was at one time strongly fortified by the rebels. I saw the places where their batteries had been planted, and some tremendous heavy guns which they had dismounted being too heavy to carry away when they evacuated. I saw also the great chain which they stretched across the Mississippi to prevent boats from passing. Friday night we staid at Columbus, and I lay on / some hay bales that were on the landing. Saturday morning we started for Corinth. We were provided with magnificent quarters, having assigned to us the hog cars. Loud and deep was the grumbling heard at first, but we were thus rendered much safer had guerillas fired into us, and I am not sure but that the ride was after all as pleasant as it would have been in passenger cars. We traveled very slowly on account of danger from obstructions on the track. We arrived at Corinth at about 8 o'clock Saturday evening, and camped on the R.R. platform. From Corinth we came to this place this morning. I felt exceedingly gratified that the distance was no greater, as our ride was not o'er pleasant. We were planted on platform cars, right back of the loco- / motive where smoke and cinders were showered upon us profusely. However here i have arrived, in good health, and after taking a good wash in a cold, clear, running brook, I feel decidedly comfortable.

 

            "There is no Sunday in the Army" is a remark we often hear made and one in which there is too much truth. The Sabbath here to-day is far different from the quiet Sabbath of home, but it seems more like it, than many I have seen at other times. No drilling takes place on the Sabbath in this Regiment. This afternoon at 5 o'clock there will be preaching by the Chaplain of another Regiment.

 

            But I must close, as the mail soon leaves. Write to me soon, and address to me, at Co. B. 39^th Reg't, O.V.I. Gen. Stanley's Division, Iuka, Mississippi

 

            I wrote to Hiram from Cairo.

 

            My love to mother, Hiram and all the folks. Save however a little bit for yourself.

                                                                                               

Your Brother

George.

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