Memphis, Tenn. May 14, 1863.

 

Dear Brother:

                        As you will see from the dating of this letter, Corinth is no longer my abiding place. We left the latter place day before yesterday and arrived here the same evening. We are camped in a very pleasant location, being in a beautiful, shady grove. As I promised to write more of our trip into Alabama I will defer any account of our trip here until another time

 

            I commence with the

            9^th Day, on the morning of which day we took the back track. No sooner had we started than the work of destruction commenced. The flames commenced their devouring work in every direction. Sometimes as high as 6 or 8 fires could be seen at once. Much of the burning this day was mere vandalism, and was done without orders. In fact, very stringent orders were issued at night against any unauthorized act of this kind. Corn cribs and cotton gins were destroyed according to orders. This day we marched about 20 miles. At night we received another mail. By the way let me here speak a few words about letter writing. When we are out / on trips of this kind we can receive mail although we cannot write ourselves. Write, then, whether you hear from me or not, even if it be but a few words.—At night we camped on a farm where there were a good many hogs, which however, in a short time ceased to exist. On the

 

            10^th Day we were in the rear of the train, and did not get a very early start. This day was the first that I had seen our contraband procession. It was a sight well worth witnessing. They were dressed in all manner of costumes; almost invariably however in some light, gaudy color that contrasted strangely with their dark skin. They were of every age, from that of the infant to the grey haired old man. Mothers carried their babes, little children toddled along gleefully by their side, and old men and women wearily plodded along on their road to liberty. Some old men were mounted on broken down mules or horses, scarcely less feeble than themselves. One I saw upon a mule that could hardly crawl along, using for reins and bridle an old pair of drawers. It was a motely sight; one strangely mingling the ludicrous and the pitiable. Some scarcely seemed raised above the brute in point of intelligence. What a vast work remains to be done before these individuals / will be fit to discharge the duties imposed by a free and enlightened nationality. The mere breaking of the bonds that have so long bound them down is but the beginning. Toil, patience, perseverance and self-sacrifice of no common kind will be required.—This day we marched to Bear River, 16 miles. For two or three days my feet had been chafing, and to-day they culminated in the necessity of pulling off my boots. For about 8 miles I took it barefooted. Not being accustomed to that kind of walking I assure you it came none of the easiest. I was very careful not to hurt the ground by setting my foot down hard upon it, especially where it was gravelly. In fact I think I can lay claim to a tender love for Old Mother Earth from the soft manner in which I touched her that day. On the

 

            11^th Day, I thought I would try to get a chance to ride. In fact it did not seem possible for me to "locomote" a day's march. But there were too many in my fix. "Nary" chance to ride could I get. So as the next best thing I determined to take my own time to it, and so I started out ahead. I took it easy, resting every little while. The column got a late start, and I arrived at Iuka, 8 miles distant from Bear River about an hour before our advance. There we rested about two hours. I tried the riding / prospects again, but it was "no go" so I staggered ahead again. We marched to Burnsville 8 miles more. On the morning of the

 

            12^th day, I was gladdened by the information that from that point, the sick, lame, and lazy would be transported to Corinth by rail. On my arrival I took off my socks, which until this time I had worn, when I discovered that my heels were ornamented with blisters of no ordinary size. I had been unconscious of their existence.—The result of my experience sums up about this: After all shoes are the thing to march in. A muddy day renders boots very useful, but hot weather and long marches render them nearly useless. Between the two extremes, boots or barefooted, give me shoes.—Our quarters were welcomed heartily. After about one week's rest in them we were unexpectedly ordered to this place. Whether we shall remain here I cannot tell, but the probabilities now seem that way.

 

            The trip into Alabama, on the whole, was a very pleasant one. I would not have missed it for considerable, notwithstanding my sore feet. It will be a long time before the inhabitants will wish to see the Yankees again. With their horses and mules all gone, their stock killed and driven off, and their negroes taken away, starvation starvation stares them in the face.

 

            I have received no letter from home for over a week. Direct to Memphis. Write soon to

                                                           

Your Brother

George.

 

Pardon my scrawl.

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