Decatur, Ala., May 30, 1864.

 

Dear Mother:

                        Your letter of May 22^nd was received a day or two since, and was very welcome. My long deprivation of them, has learned me to appreciate home letters as I never have before. My letter list is frequently consulted, and calculations are made as to what day a letter may be expected, and if it is not forthcoming I am considerably disappointed. I was glad to hear from Hiram also, as it had been a long time since I had received a letter from him.

 

            Matters are very quiet here now. Scarcely anything noteworthy is transpiring. Nearly every day a party of refugees come in, but they are principally women and children, whom starvation has driven from their homes. These refugees are truly pitiable objects. / Ignorant, half starved, half naked, most of them with large families of young children, having no money, and scarcely any furniture save a few chairs, a little bedding, and a few cooking utensils, they are fit objects of commiseration. They are sent North, and there they are left to take care of themselves; homeless, friendless, and strangers.

 

            You speak of the National Guard. Are any of my particular acquaintances in it? Ask Tommy Ewart who are gone out of my class in College. I can hear no Marietta general news now. I wish you would send me the Register whilst I am here.

 

            Please send me a few stamps in your next letter—not more than five or six, however. Put four or five sheets of writing paper inside some newspaper, and send me. I am nearly out. More paper or stamps I do not think it advisable to send now. Send the Examiner here for the present.—There are no signs of our joining the Regiment yet.

 

Write often to

Your aff. Son,                                                

George.

 

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How did you learn of my sickness first, through my own letter or that of Mr. Rice? Tell me how you received the news. Did you have any inquiries concerning me from others?

 

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Except whilst I was in the Post Hospital here I had excellent care. It so happened that the Hospital steward of the Fiftieth Illinois was a person whom I had known before, a Mr. Sprague, cousin of Jasper Sprague of Marietta. He was very kind, and my acquaintance with him rendered my situation more pleasant. I also became a good deal attached to one of the nurses.

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