#22

 

Corinth, Miss. April 1, 1863.

 

Dear Sister:

                        Your letter was received two or three days since. I will try to write a few lines in answer, although there is very little of interest transpiring here at present.

 

            We are now fairly installed in our log houses. Our situation now is a Paradise in comparison with what it was when we first came here. The mud then so plentiful has now disappeared; we are not all crowded together with scarcely room to turn in; and let it rain hard as it will, we are in no danger of being floated out of our tent. We are now, on the whole, very comfortably situated. The houses of our Brigade cause our camp ground to assume the appearance of a small city. There are four / houses to a company. Besides these there are the officer's houses, the Quartermaster's, sutler's, etc.

 

            Our duty is pretty much a regular routine. Drill takes up from three to four hours a day. We have a large drill ground and frequently it presents a quite lively appearance. Four or five batteries of artillery, two brigades of infantry, and some cavalry sometimes can be seen at one time going through their evolutions.

 

            Let me notice a few differences between North and South. First, in the matter of money. Cents are a coin unknown to currency here. Five cents is the smallest amount known. No less than five cents worth can be bought. An article is either five cents or a dime or fifteen cents, etc. Three cent pieces are used, but they always pass for five. I have now two cents in my pocket that I brought from / home, and they will probably remain there for some time to come—Another difference is the absence of those little district school houses so often seen at home. I have not seen a school house, except in towns, since coming South. I have seen some very nice school houses and Seminaries in towns; but they were for the rich. The education of the masses is entirely neglected. I have seen but one school, although several houses. That one was in Tennessee. It seemed a good deal like the peaceful scenes of home.—I have frequently admired the fine residences and large, beautiful plantations that I have passed on the march. But I have missed those neat farm houses, and small, but well tilled farms of the North, that are the mark of thrift and industry. In the South it is too much the palace or the hovel. These beautiful houses and grounds are pleasing, but they are signs of a forced industry. The / small farm tilled by its owner is an unknown thing here. The large plantation is worked by the slaves under the hired overseer. The land is thus overworked, and soon runs out. The ground finally becomes so poor that it is almost worthless.—Another feature of the South is its swamps. You cross one every few miles. In the summer time they become dry, but during the rainy season they are very muddy. They are generally covered with forests. Evergreens are found in plenty amongst them. Roads through them must be corduroyed; that is fence rails must be laid down. Otherwise they would be impassable. Corinth is surrounded by swamps on every side but one.

 

            But I must close. The weather for two or three days has been quite cool, but to-day it is very pleasant.

 

            Mr. Rice has probably a different standard of Christian character from mine. I do not mention any names; but I think I should hesitate a long while before writing what you say he did. However he knows as much about the matter as I do. Do not mention this publicly however.

 

            Copperheadism meets with no favor here. There is but one voice in condemnation of the Noble County traitors.

                                               

Write soon to

Your Brother

George

 

We will probably be paid for four months in a few days.

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