#19

 

Corinth, Miss. Mar.16,'63

 

Dear Mother:

                        Your letter was received about one week ago, but as I had just written to Jerusha, and you said that Hiram would write in two or three days, I thought I would wait until I received a letter from him. As none however has yet arrived, I seat myself to write a few lines.

 

            I the other day made a tour of the breastworks that environ Corinth. As I believe that I have before written of them, I will say nothing more than that my close observation, more than ever impressed me with their immense strength. Wo be unto the force that attacks us here! There is some talk here of the rebs. evacuating Vicksburg and throwing their army against Rosecrans, attacking this place on their way. I however, have not the least apprehen- / sions on that point. They learned a dear lesson here last fall; and an attack now would meet with five times the difficulty it did then.

 

            I also visited the battle ground of October 4^th. As you will perhaps recollect, I, the night before the battle, being without a blanket, lay upon a huge log; off which at the commencement of the firing, I rolled in a rather more hasty than ceremonious manner. I found this identical log still lying in the same position as on that memorable night. The general aspect of the battle field is however much changed. Hundreds of acres of timber that then served as a cover for the rebs. until they had come comparatively near us, now lie prostrate. The forts that then dealt death and destruction so fearfully in the ranks of the enemy, are now greatly strengthened, and a long / line of formidable breastworks that at that time had no existence, now guard against attack. The position that our Regiment occupied was then destitute of any signs of water; but the rainy season now makes of it a swamp. Numerous balls lying on the ground, and here and there an old cartridge box, haversack, or some article of clothing, bears testimony to the conflict. In front of the fort lie the remains of Gen. Rogers, the brave Texan, who led the charge on the fort, and perished at the very cannon's mouth. A rude stave, half whittled away for relics marks the spot where he is buried. Close behind beside him sleep the remains of 25 of his followers who perished with him in the ditch of the fort.

 

            They are drilling a company of negro soldiers here. I saw them the other day. Some of them handle a gun / very well for the time they have been drilling, but others are very awkward. I am confident that practice will make good soldiers of some of them.

 

            The prospect seems very fair for our staying here this summer. We are building log houses. If we could have tight tents, I would prefer a tent, but our tents leak so, that it is very unpleasant to stay in them when it rains. Our houses will also make us more room.

 

            Yesterday we had preaching by the Chaplain of the 81^st Ohio.

 

            Desertions are not very common in our Regiment, but occasionally we have them. Two or three deserted the other day. Our Colonel pledges himself to follow all deserters to the bitter end. I am glad of it. I have not one whit of sympathy to waste on that man who violates his oath and leaves the cause of his country in the hour of her peril. Shooting a few would have a very beneficial example.

 

            We are very busy at present in building our houses and I have time to write no more at present. My health is still good.

                                               

My love to all.

Your Son,

           

Enclosed I send you a Holly leaf, a species of evergreen that grows here. I do not know that we have it at the North.

G.

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