#17

 

Corinth, Miss.

Feb. 7, 1863.

 

Dear Mother:

                        The mail has just arrived, but it brought for me no tidings from home. We have received our mail very irregularly of late. About one week ago we had a mail and I confidently expected a letter from home; I received two Examiners, a Register and Republican, but no letter. I was considerably disappointed. And now to-night comes another mail, and not yet a word from home, although I have written letters to you and Hiram and Jerusha. The last letter received from home bore date of Jan. 17, and came to hand by Capt. King. That letter I have answered. Perhaps my non-reception of letters is due to irregularities in the mail. 

 

The arrival of a mail in camp is a noteworthy event. The boys gather eagerly around the one who distributes the mail, and listen intently as the names are called off. One receives a missive, and instantly his countenance lightens up with pleasure. Another remains until they are "all told", and receiving none, returns with downcast look to his tent. A few words from home tend in no small degree to relieve the tedium of camp life. At present, the weather is so bad that we cannot drill; and as we can seldom get papers here now, the hours sometimes pass quite tediously. I have written letters until I am well nigh tired of that. I hope soon to hear receive answers to some of the numerous letters I have written since my arrival in this camp to different ones. This is the 10^th or 11^th one I / believe.

 

            I write these few words in no very pleasant strain. I do not feel in a humour for writing more to-night. I write to let you know I am alive and well, and that letters addressed to me will find me probably in Corinth, Mississippi.

                                                           

Your Son,

George.

           

My love to all

 

            Enclosed I send as a curiosity a Nashville shin-plaster. They have passed in Corinth until recently, in consequence of the scarcity of change, but they go no longer.

 

            My watch is so dirty that it has stopped running. The crystal is also broken. To have it cleaned, and procure a new crystal costs only the small sum of $2.50; but as I / do not know whether I may soon again be where I can get it fixed, I have concluded to borrow money enough until next pay day. If I can sell my watch at a good price I think I shall dispose of it. A watch here is a very handy thing, but it needs one with a tight case.

 

G.

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