Burnsville, Miss., Oct. 27, 1863.

 

Dear Sister:

                        I wrote you a few lines from Corinth day before yesterday, from Corinth, promising that I would write again at the first opportunity. Being on picket to-day I proceed to fulfil my promise. Well, here we are in camp, in the city of Burnsville, Tishomingo Co., State of Mississippi, distant 15 miles from Corinth, on the Memphis and Charleston R.R. This place is no new one to us, we having passed through it several times on our way to Iuka. It has been at one time quite a flourishing little village, but now its appearance is utterly desolate. It has been during the past winter outside of our lines, and was the nesthole of a contemptible, thieving band of guerrillas, who still hover around ready to / snatch up any one who straggles a few hundred yards beyond the lines.—But enough of Burnsville for the present. Let me go back to our march from Memphis. And, as I wish to have my letters preserved for future reference, I will enter considerably into detail.

 

            The First Day we marched to Germantown, 15 miles. A hard rain the night previous had settled the dust, which had been about two inches thick, and although the roads were somewhat heavy in the morning, we got along very well. Wood was very scarce at night, and the night was quite cool. We camped early and all stood the march well.

 

            The Second Day we started about sunrise, and went to Lafayette 17 miles. The roads were in excellent condition. We passed through a fine, level country, but now quite desolate. Houses / and fences have been destroyed, and large crops of weeds take the place of corn and cotton. We camped near wood and water.

 

            The Third Day we did not get under headway until about 9 o'clock, we being detained in consequence of an apprehended raid, Chalmers being said to be in the vicinity with several thousand men. Finally we were ordered to go forward to Moscow, 10 miles, and there await further orders. Here we camped for the night. Wood was exceedingly scarce, and water a good distance off. It had threatened rain during the day, but just at dark it cleared up, and we thought that we should escape a wetting, But alas for human anticipations! About 10 o'clock a heavy thunderstorm burst upon us. I and my partner threw our gum blankets over us and the music of the pattering rain upon us soon brought sleep to my eyelids. There we lay till morning, the rain continuing to pour / down until at intervals during the whole night. I slept very well, only waking two or three times, when a new shower burst upon us. At one time our gum blankets became separated, and our blankets got wet somewhat, and they were wet around the edges, where the water poured off our gum blankets. But our bodies were kept dry. Thus much for the virtue of a rubber blanket. The morning of the

 

            Fourth Day was ushered in drearily. Most of the boys were drenched through and there was scarcely a stick of wood to warm our shivering bodies or dry our blankets. But the rain had ceased, although it still remained cloudy. About 7 o'clock we got under way. The roads were quite muddy, and we had not gone more than three or four miles, before it again commenced raining. It was not long before the mud became quite deep, but on we plunged, in good spirits, through the storm. Not a murmuring word did I hear from anyone, but most were joking. It was better to be advancing than to rest at such a time and we went to Lagrange, 11 miles, without stopping hardly five minutes. Before reaching Lagrange there was a lull in the storm. Here we halted about three quarters of an hour, and from the bakeries and stores in town got plenty to eat. Again we started on, and it was not long before the rain again commenced. We passed Grand Junction, crossed the railroad, and camped for the night at Saulsbury, having traveled 21 miles through rain and mud. During the last 6 or 8 miles the roads were exceedingly bad. Before stopping for the night, the rain had cleared. / We camped just beside a rail fence, which was piled up for firewood in less than five minutes. Soon huge fires were built, and after drying ourselves and blankets we lay down to sweet slumber and quiet dreams, and never did I sleep better. But I must close for the present my account. I thought that we should probably stay here for a few days, but one of our boys just returned from camp reports that we move forward again to-morrow. I was fortunate enough to receive my box just the day before leaving Corinth. Now that I have my overcoat and mittens I am ready to go anywhere.

 

            I will try to express my money home to-day.

 

            I am exceedingly gratified at the result of the election in Ohio. Truly it is a noble result.

 

            I am in good health, and ready for any emergency.

 

            Remember me to Alice and / Mary, and all the young folks who may care to inquire concerning me.

 

            I will write as often as possible Direct to Corinth.

                                   

Your Brother,

George.

SOURCES