Decatur, Ala., June 7, 1864.

 

My Dear Mother:

                        Your letter of the 1^st came to hand last evening. Your letters come now pretty regularly. The reason why I have not received more of your past letters is probably due as much to my absence from the Regiment as to the carelessness of Postmasters. If directed to the Regiment they would follow it, and no doubt several home letters are now awaiting me there. Those directed to the Post Hospital however are lost. The others I yet hope to receive, upon rejoining the Regiment. All directed to me individually I have received.

 

            I am glad to learn that you are getting along so well with the garden, and that things are growing so finely. It would be very pleasant if your anticipations concerning my being permitted to enjoy the fruits of it with you should be realized. I was about to say that I hoped they would; but taking the word hope in its strict signification I can hardly say it. Hope combines expectation and desire, with a predominance of the former. Now I desire that the war may be over this summer, but I do not anticipate such a thing. The military power of the rebellion is not yet broken. I anticipate that it will require a fall campaign to finish up the suppression of armed rebellion, even if we meet with no serious reverse. The President I think has made a blunder in calling out the National Guard for only 100 days. It should / have been for nine months or one year. As it now is, their time will expire at a time when we shall need them most. The army in front must again be depleted to guard the rear, and we shall thus lose much of the advantage that we may have gained. We have underrated the power of the rebellion too long. It is about time that we were waking up to the fact that the rebel army is too brave, too well disciplined, and I may add, too well Generaled, to be crushed in a few days even by any force of numbers. Of the final result of the conflict I have not the remotest shadow of doubt. The cause of Union, liberty and justice will prevail. But the foe we have to deal with is a desperate and cunning one that cannot be conquered in a day. They may temporarily defeat us; in which event the whole pack of hounds in the North who sympathize with them will howl "Peace! Peace!" Such an event would be deplorable. But even if it should take place, we ought not to lose heart. For my own part I feel that I can never consent to the recognition of the Slave driving Southern Confederacy, whilst I have strength to fight.

 

            The weather is beginning to be very warm here. The sun beats down furiously, and even in the shade it is very warm. I pity the boys marching under this broiling sun. Certainly the Spring campaign cannot last many weeks longer in this latitude.

 

            I have heard nothing from our Regiment for several days. There seems to be very little prospect of an immediate move on our part. Probably we shall remain two or three weeks yet. Address your letters as heretofore.  Your aff. Son,            

George.

 

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I sent you a copy of the Nashville Times. There are several papers published in Nashville. The Times is the most ably edited and withal soundly loyal.

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