#20

 

Corinth, Miss. Mar.19,'63

 

Dear Bother:

                        Your letter was received night before last, with postage stamps enclosed. This morning I seat myself to answer it. Seat myself I say. For the first time since entering the army I am seated at a writing desk on a chair and in a house writing a letter. My chair is not one of splendid finish,—not exactly such a one as Dana, Rosseter and Co, would turn out, yet it is substantial and answers its purpose very well. It is not one of my own making, but both it and the desk are due to the ingenuity of a member of our squad. I am in a house I said, Yes. Day before yesterday where the house now stands was our tent. One morning it disappeared, and at night its site was occupied by a house, 18 feet by 20 in size, and about ten feet in height at the eaves / Four weeks time would be considered short for erecting a house at home, but after the timber was here one day's time sufficed for 10 men to erect it. Such is the smartness of the soldier. Our house however is not exactly after the home pattern. Its frame consists of logs, the cracks between which are partly stopped up and partly left open for air. One apartment serves as closet, bedroom, sitting room and store house. Our furniture is rather scanty also, and the ground serves us as a floor. Perhaps it would be a building not altogether suited to the fastidious taste of Marietta folks in general; but I assure you that we are very proud of it. It is generally conceded that we have the best building in the Regiment. A number of our squad had have had experience at this kind of work before. Our building is not very tight, except the roof. In the winter time at the North it would be found de- / cidedly too airy for comfort. But we have purposely left it so. We might have plastered it up so as to render it perfectly tight; but we chose to leave it open so as to make it cool; for even already here it is beginning to be quite warm. Our house is a very great improvement on our tent. Now we can keep dry when it rains; now we have plenty of bedroom, and are not obliged to turn over whenever our partner does; now we have room to move around in, and to fix our things conveniently. "Rainy days in Camp" will now be deprived of half their terrors. As I write a cool, refreshing breeze passes through the house. Farewell to the sweltering in the tent on a very warm day! I, (and I in this respect reflect the sentiments of all) feel a serene satisfaction in surveying our domicil. Should we stay in it but a week we will be paid for our labor. There are four to a company. /

 

As I said the weather is beginning to be warm. It is now the May of the North. The trees are blossoming and leaving out, the grass is springing up luxuriantly and the violets and other flowers are blooming. For about a week we have had beautiful weather

 

            Since my entrance into the army I have been very glad that I never contracted the habit of chewing tobacco. One accustomed to it feels that he cannot do without it, and they are compelled to pay two and three prices for it, and sometimes cannot get it at all. It is certainly very expensive here.

 

            We receive Memphis papers here the same day that they are printed, thus receiving news as soon as you at home, and news from Vicksburg sooner.

 

            You often ask what things to send me. I am not in need of anything particularly; except perhaps you might send some paper before a great while and some envelopes. But I will suggest a little as to what would be best should you have the opportunity. In the eatable line, preserved or dried fruit, smoked or dried fish or sausage. Pies would hardly pay transportation. Cake in small quantities only. Send nothing liable to spoil. Stockings are the only thing in the clothing line.—Do not think that I ask you to send these things now. They are simply suggestions for future use.

 

            I shall probably send home my overcoat before long. It will be cheaper to pay transportation home and back next fall, than to throw it away and draw a new one.

 

            I am sure that I can suggest no cheaper shorter way of solving that Algebraic problem. My brain is rather rusty on that that study. I tried the problem you gave me, but I made but little progress at it. /

 

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Remember me to all the friends. Give me all the society gossip—who goes with whom etc.

 

            Tell Maxwell that I am anxiously awaiting a letter from him.

                                               

Your Brother

George.

 

I received a letter from W^m Cunningham a few days since He is at Falmouth, Virginia, is well, and was in the battle of Fredericksburg. He inquires after you He is now Orderly Sergeant

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