Memphis, Tenn. Aug. 17, 1863.

 

Dear Mother:

                        I received your letter of the 11^th to-day, and immediately will answer it.

 

            Yesterday I attended Church in the morming in the city at a Methodist Church. I had the pleasure of listening to a very good sermon, but somehow I could not feel exactly at ease. I could not help thinking that very many of the audience looked upon us in no friendly way. I attended Sabbath School in the same place, or rather sat and looked on for a while. There was not one thing homelike about it, except a map of Asia that I believe hangs in our lecture room, and which also hung upon the wall in the room here. Jno. Stewart and I were together, and after looking on for some time, without the least earthly notice being taken of us, we concluded to beat / a retreat from such a chilly atmosphere, inwardly vowing never to visit there again. In the afternoon I learned of the location of a small Baptist Church in the suburbs of the city, and that prayer meeting would be held there at four o'clock. I resolved to go, and I am very glad now that I did; for it is the most homelike place I have been in for many a month. I enjoyed the meeting very much. The people seemed very friendly, and the pastor I think is a Union man. He spoke to me very kindly after Church, and invited me to come again. Henceforth while I stay in Memphis, that small, unpretending church is the church of my choice. I have been trying to find a Baptist Church, but hitherto have been unable to do so. One down in the city formerly occupied by our denomination is now used as a Hospital. I am told that this church which I attended yesterday has a very pleasant Sab- / bath School connected with it. One thing particularly that I like is that they sing our own familiar hymns. They use the Sabbath School Bell I believe in their school,—a look that I became familiarized with at Parkersburg.

 

            I have made two trips to the Junction so far, and on the whole I find it not an unpleasant ride. The dust and cinders are somewhat troublesome, but the rapidity of our motion makes a fine cooling breeze, even in the warmest day. Comparatively little of the land along the route is under cultivation, large, fine fields growing up to weeds everywhere. The land is is mostly gently rolling, and seemingly well adapted to cultivation. There is a sameness however in the scenery which is rather tiresome. Near the Junction however a distant range of hills give a pleasing change.

 

            At Lagrange two regiments of negro soldiers are camped. They make / a fine appearance, dressed up in their soldier clothes. One would hardly think that they were the same persons, should they see them first in their old plantation clothes, and then in their blue uniform. They attract a great deal of notice, and they are proud of it. They walk their beats, and carry their guns with military precision, conscious of the eye of curiosity and wonder that views them. Very sendom do you hear a soldier express displeasure at the sight. A wondrous change has taken place in sentiment here. When first the question of arming them was mooted terrible were the denunciations of such a plan from very many of the soldiers. Now they look on and say: "That's right; let them fight for their freedom. Every one of them saves one white man." Even one man in our Company who is a Vallandighamer or nearly one, said the other day, as we were passing their camp, "That is what I like to see. I would not have said that six months ago though."

 

            August is the warmest month in the year here; or rather August and September together are the two warmest, unhealthiest months. There is considerable sickness in the Regiment none of it very serious however. My health still remains excellent. Truly I have great cause for thankfulness in this respect.

 

            There are no signs of our being paid off very soon. I am sorry, as I am afraid you need the money.

                                   

Write soon to

Your Son

George.

SOURCES