Memphis, Tenn. Sept. 14, 1863.

 

Dear Mother:

                        Although for some unaccountable reason I have received no letter from home for about ten days, yet I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and well. There is not quite so much sickness in our Company now as there has been. In fact, the worst part of the sickly season is over.

 

            Yesterday was the Sabbath, and I enjoyed it more than I have any Sabbath for a long time, although I was on duty. The prayer meeting held each day at the Christian Commission Rooms was the means of bringing to my notice a young man in the Company detached with us, who was endeavoring to live a Christian life. Yesterday I had a long talk with him. His case is a very peculiar one. We often hear of / professors of religion going astray in the army, but it is very seldom that we hear of any one being for the first time brought to a knowledge of Christ, amidst the temptations of army life. This latter experience however, is his. It seems as though the hand of God is specially visible in his case. From what little I can gather of his early history, I should infer that he had enjoyed no special advantages of early religious training; but something over one year ago, God's Spirit came to him, and caused him to feel himself a sinner. He was alone. There was no one for him to talk with; no one of whom he could ask advice; no one to sympathize with his state of mind. But he resolved to turn from his evil ways and tried to live aright. He tells me now, that he does not think that he has experienced what it is to unreservedly surrender himself to God, and feel the joys of a true believer until quite recently, however. He was led to this by seeing that his / good resolutions and efforts to do right did not keep him from going astray. And, becoming alarmed at his own state of moral declension, he was led to come to Christ and threw himself unreservedly upon him. It did me good to talk with him. His earnest, determined spirit, his warm love, and the readiness which he evinced to work for God, were the means of stirring up my own soul. I knew that I was becoming too neglectful of duty, and it served to give me a new determination to live more for God. At about the same time that he was led to feel his need of total dependence upon Christ, another person in the same Company who was a professor of religion, but had wandered far away, was brought to see his condition, and to turn again to his first love. He too was brought to my notice through the prayer meeting at the Commission Rooms. My conversations with these two have been to me a fertile oasis in the midst / of a spiritual desert. The Christian Commission is doing a great work, and deserves the liberal support of patriotic Christian men.

 

            Our Brigade is under marching orders. Of course, there are all manner of wild rumors as to our destination, some making it Arkansas, and some Alabama. I think however, that it is nothing more than a precaution to hold themselves in readiness to repel any attack upon the line of the railroad between here and Corinth, as it is said that the rebels contemplate such a raid. In any event, it is very doubtful whether our Company will move, even should the Reg't go. I hope that I shall hear from home to-morrow surely. I think some letter must have miscarried.

 

            I yesterday received by one of the Middlesworth boys, who returned to the Company after an absence on furlough, some very nice presents, consisting of paper and envelopes, and two fine pocket-handkerchiefs from Mr. Plumer's folks, and a beautiful needle cushion, together with buttons and thread from Miss Mary Dana. It was very gratifying to me to know that I was still kindly remembered.

 

            The receipt for cure of diarrhea that you sent me long ago, by use of sweet gum bark tea, I have often tried, and find it the best thing I can use. In fact, I have no fear of that disease now, as the use of that remedy has never failed to stop it.

                       

But I must close.

                                   

Write often and promptly to

Your Son,

SOURCES