Memphis, Tenn. Sept. 30, 1863.

 

My Dear Sister:

                        Your letter of the 23^d came to hand yesterday. When last I wrote to mother, I fully expected by this time to be on the move; but Memphis is still my abiding place. Our orders have again been countermanded, and we are again in that blissful state of uncertainty, not knowing how soon again we may receive like orders. Great movements are on foot. Troops from Vicksburg are constantly passing over the Memphis and Charleston road to Corinth. They belong to the 15^th Army Corps, Sherman's, and the 17^th, McPhersons. I hardly think it probable that we shall remain long here. Some extensive expedition I think is to be organized at Corinth, / to operate with Rosecrans.

 

            Just now, the "Veteran Corps" is the subject of conversation amongst us. I presume you know what it is;—a proposition for the troops now in the field to re-enlist for three years, paying a bounty of $400. The remainder of the time which they now have to serve is to be counted as a portion of the three years. Our Colonel wishes to have us re-enlist as a Regiment. He talks as though we who have been in but one year would be retained two years more anyhow. So that it would make but one year additional, for which we would receive $400 beside our regular pay. Don't you think I had better re-enlist?

 

            About noon the other day we were startled by an explosion which we feared at first might be the boiler of some steamboat / loaded with troops. But it proved to be not quite so serious. It was caused by the overturning of the caisson to a cannon, containing percussion shells, one of which exploded. The caisson was demolished and three men wounded, one fatally.

 

            A few nights since a steamboat was burned at the wharf. It was a magnificent sight. The light reflected upon the water, the steamboats in motion to escape contact with the flames, and the lurid glare cast upon the crowd gathered upon the levee, and the dark background of the forest on the opposite shore, altogether made a scene not soon to be forgotten.

 

            Letter writing material is exceedingly scarce here at present. There is scarcely anything transpiring of interest to outsiders. Ah, I do recollect one item more. The / other day six locomotives were sent up the river. I do not know what they are to be used for without they are to be transferred to the Chattanooga and Nashville R.R. to run reinforcements to Rosecrans.

                                                                       

Your Brother,

George.

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