Decatur, Ala, May 21, 1864

 

Dear Sister:

                        I have delayed writing for two or three days in hope that meanwile I might receive a letter from home. But my hope has been a vain one. If I recollect aright, I wrote home a letter May 3^rd, with the direction to direct a reply to Post Hospital, Decatur. But no reply has come. I know not what to make of it. My last letter from home was dated April 15^th, and you may imagine that I am some anxious to hear from that locality again.

 

            Things have become comparatively quiet here. We have not been called to arms since my last letter.

 

            There is a New York Regiment here. It is a Zouave Regiment. Their uniform consists of high gaiter shoes, confining the bottoms of their pants, dark blue pants, with red trimming, a red sash around the waist, a short jacket, trimmed with red, and a red cap, without a / front piece, and having a blue tassel. Their head gear affords them not one whit of protection from sun or rain, and they are fearfully browned. I do not see how it is possible for them to wear such a head piece in the scorching sun of this climate. They are the hardest looking set of men that I ever laid eyes upon, and I guess their looks don't much belie their character. They are mostly foreigners, comprising almost every nationality, and their sun browned countenances, combined with an air of recklessness, give them a very ferocious appearance. The Regiment is from New York City, and is composed almost entirely of the class known as "Roughs". We call them "Woodpeckers", in consequence of their red head piece, and a New Jersey Zouave Regiment in our Division are called "Yellow Jackets", in consequence of wearing a yellow tassel on their cap.

 

            Time passes very dully here. Receiving no letters, and having nothing to do I feel a good deal the influence of ennui.

 

            A word about my health. I am getting so strong, that I almost forgot that I had been an invalid. I begin to feel like myself again. If there is an opportunity soon I think I shall rejoin the Regiment soon. I am afraid however that there will be no opportunity, and I shall be doomed to remain here for some time yet.

 

            You may direct your letters still to me at Decatur; thus Geo. R. Gear, Decatur, Alabama.

                                   

My love to all,

Your aff. brother,

George.

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