Prospect Station, Tenn. Dec. 1, 1863.

 

Dear Mother:

                        Your letter of Nov. 24 came to hand to-day. The last one that I had received before was of date of the 12^th. You seem to speak as though Jerusha had been sick, and as I have had no intimation of anything of the kind before, I presume that I have probably missed one letter.

 

            Everything goes on quietly here. There is no enemy in our immediate vicinity, although it is reported to-day that a body of 800 rebel cavalry crossed the Tennessee River at Florence. It would not be advisable for that number to venture near here. A spy was hung at Pulaski a few days since. He had a plan of the camps of all our Regiments and batteries. He said that he received information from a Federal officer in Dodge's command, but he refused to reveal his name, although his own life was guaranteed if he would do so.

 

            We are occupying a mill about 4 miles from here, and grind corn and wheat enough / to supply us with breadstuffs. We are living on fresh meat entirely, supplies of which are obtained in the surrounding country. When we live as we do now, we are taught the great value of salt. We have rather scanty rations of that article, and are compelled to use it very sparingly, as fresh meat and corn bread are decidedly flat without the article. I never appreciated its value until I entered the army. When we are where supplies can be obtained readily, we have more of it than we can use, but at such a time as this it is precious as gold. Very few of the citizens have any of the article, and they are very glad to take our "greenbacks", so that they can have a chance to buy it. There are a few left insane enough to take rebel money yet; but and we can pass the facsimile notes just as well as the genuine. One of our boys passed a twenty dollar facsimile the other day for three hogs, and received $11 genuine secesh money in change. There is really no difference in value between the counterfeit and the genuine. The ignorance of money displayed by very many is truly astonishing. Many cannot count money at all. I have known the labels on Perry Davis' Pain Killer to be passed as money.—But I must draw my letter to a close as my paper is getting very scarce. I have only /

 

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one sheet more left. Perhaps it would be well to send a few more postage stamps soon. I have a few yet, but I do not wish to get entirely out. I was glad to receive two Examiners to-day. They are the only reading matter that I have now. Mail is still very irregular.

 

Write as often as you can to

Your Son

George.

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