Prospect Station, Tenn. Dec. 12, 1863.

 

Dear Mother:

                        Although I have received no letter from home for about a week, I will write you a few lines this afternoon.

 

            There is absolutely nothing of interest transpiring here. We are quietly in camp, performing the usual regular routine of picket and camp duty, and occasionally going out on a foraging expedition, or as escort to some wagon train. Everything is being arranged as though we were expected to winter here: Tents are being fixed up, shanties built, and a saw mill is being put up. A fort is also in process of construction. Some fine morning the order may come for us to pack up and leave; but we have concluded that even two or three weeks stay will repay us for our labor in making / ourselves comfortable.

 

            There is a great deal of talk about re-enlisting in the Veteran Corps. When three-fourths of a company or Regiment re-enlist they are entitled to a furlough for 30 days, and a bounty of $402. Those who refuse to re-enlist are sent to other companies and regiments to serve out their time. One Company of our Regiment has almost entirely signified their willingness to re-enlist, and will probably be sent home in a few days. As yet the matter meets with very little encouragement in our Company, but I have but little doubt that seeing other companies going home will give it a great impetus. Although there are some 100 of us who were enlisted with the understanding that we would be discharged with the Regiment, I have very little anticipation of escaping three years service. It is certain that the Government has / the legal power to hold us, as we were sworn in for three years, although we were deceived by being told that the we would be discharged with the Regiment. As the old Regiment will probably re-enlist, we will probably remain in the same Companies as now. I presume that we will probably not have an opportunity to re-enlist; as only those who have less than nine months to serve can do so. However, should we have the opportunity you need have no fear that $402 will tempt me to do so. I think that if the Government gets one year's service out of me through misrepresentation, I shall not be fool enough to add two years more to it for the sake of a little money. When we entered old regiments we forfeited all chance of promotion which we would have enjoyed in new regiments, and gained to the Government 6 or 8 months' service by immediately entering the field instead / of drilling in home camps.—But although I cannot but feel that we have been deceived yet I do not feel disposed to grumble, and shall try to make the best of it. I sincerely hope that there will be a draft to compel the stay-at-homes to do their part, and then I can serve with a good will.

 

            There will be no enlistments in our Company under our present officers. altho They have been guaranteed however, the election of their own officers. Lieut. Rice will be re-elected, but our present Captain and 1^st Lieut. cannot get one vote.

 

            We were paid off for two months yesterday. The Company have sent their money together in care of R. P. Iams. By calling at his store you will receive $20 sent by me. Possibly it may not reach Marietta quite as soon as my letter, but it will be there within a day or two.

 

            What does paper cost a quire in M? It is 40 cents here, and envelopes 40 cents per bunch. Please send some postage stamps immediately.

 

            Mail facilities are still irregular, but we generally get a mail once in 4 or 5 days.

 

            In my last letter to Jerusha I told her that enclosed she would find $1.00 Alabama scrip. Upon opening my pocket book two or three days afterward I found it still enclosed there, I having forgotten to put it in. Adding another 50 cent scrip I put them in this letter. Please hand them to Jerusha.

           

I am well.        Write often

           

Your Son,

George.

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