Memphis, Tenn. Oct. 9, 1863

 

My Dear Sister:

                        Your letter of Sept. 28^th was received a day or two since, and this morning I will write you a few lines in return.

 

            We are still in this city, and there is no immediate prospect of our moving; that is we see no such prospect. Of course we know not when we may be called upon to move, but we are not now under marching orders, and it is possible that we may be allowed to remain here all winter. Meanwhile, the movement of troops toward Corinth still goes on. Every day train loads of troops pass over the road. What expedition is in embryo we can only conjecture. It may be that they are to join Rose- / crans, and that another line of communication with him by means of the Memphis and Charleston R.R. is to be opened. Then again there is some talk of a movement upon Mobile down the Mobile and Ohio Rail Road. Perhaps an extensive expedition into Georgia is in contemplation, which will force Bragg to fall back in order to save his rear. These are some of the conjectures that the movement of troops in such numbers gives rise to.

 

            The movement of troops has made the guerrillas very active. They have not interfered with the track, but they have several times and in several different places cut the telegraph wire. They will hardly make any endeavor to tear up the road whilst it is so strongly guarded.

 

            Major Gen. Frank P. Blair passed over the road a day or two / since. I cannot say that I am much pleased with his looks. He is a man of about 35 or 40, medium size, and with a light, sandy moustache, and whiskers. He has not a military bearing or look about him, but I would take him to be just what I believe he is, a wiry, intriguing politician, with just ability enough to make a successful demagogue. I never can forgive him for his agency in removing Fremont when he was in command in Missouri. I believe that there is more military ability in Fremont than there is in a dozen Major Generals of his caliber.

 

            I have more than once spoken about the ignorance of the masses of the South. Memphis has a Public School system which is doing something for the youth of the coming generation, but it meets with a great deal of opposition, and is, I fear, / far from efficient. It is really amusing to see some of the original spelling on signs here sometimes: Such as these: "Famile Grocerie"; "Bakerie"; and the other day I saw one "Too Rooms to Let", whether they were too bad or too good it didn't state. The very original dialect of the country masses marks them infallibly. We have a Regiment or two of Alabama Union Cavalry, and I need not to ask what Regiment they belong to if I hear one of them talk three minutes. They have many of our own low provincialisms, mixed up with an idiomatic Southern dialect that is derived from constant intercourse with the negro.

 

            But ignorance is not wholly confined to Southern soil. I sometimes am asked to write letters for soldiers unable to do so themselves, and to read those that they receive. Some time ago one of my comrades received some "poetry", which his wife had written him. I transmit it to you. I could not help thinking that writing poetry was not her forte. And yet it shows a patriotic, self denying spirit that is truly commendable, and whilst quietly enjoying its original versification and spelling, I do not feel in the least disposed to make it a subject of ridicule. There is more real poetry in it than in many a so-called "poetic gem", which glitters with unmeaning generalities. There is a naturalness about the whole of it that is really charming in these days of affected sentiment, and the manner in which the true woman heart displays itself in the last verse, notwithstanding her previous patriotic devotion, is truly touching. /

 

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But I must close. Write frequently to

Your Brother

George.

 

Tommie was indeed very unfortunate in being chosen into the Psi Gamma Society, but now tht he is there he must make the most of it.

           

Remember me to Mary and Alice.

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