Answered Dec 13/62

 

In Camp on the road leading

to Jackson Miss within 9 miles

of the Tallahatchie River       

Friday Dec 5^th 1862   

 

Dear Brother & Sister

It has been some time since I have written to you but my not writing sooner was owing to our being on the march we left Lagrange about a week ago stopped at this place and made preparations for a hard battle as we knew the Rebels had fortifications on the river but their breast-works would not save them our advance guard routed them before one third of our force had become engaged we did not get a chance to fire a shot but had the satisfaction of hearing some of those large shells bursting not very pleasant music to listen to I assure / you. where the Rebels will make a stand now is hard to tell our advance is in Grenada now about half the distance to Jackson. We expect if we live to eat our Christmas dinner in the capitol of the state. Grant has a large force under his command and a great number of them are old troops I presume we will leave here soon. we are cleaning the country as we go takeing every thing but the niggers and after the 1^st of January we are going to take them. Most of the white male citizens have left. those we do see look upon us with silent contempt The weather has been very pleasant till the last few days it has been raining this morning I got up looked out of the tent and it was snowing about as hard as it could I went back to bed concluded to stay there till the storm was over as snow storms / in the South does not last long. My health is better now than it has been since I have been in the army. Your letter of the 25^th I received last night. I was very glad to hear from you. I have not heard from Carroll for a long time, guess they have forgotten that I am in the army. I am very sorry that you have to use rye coffee I do sympathize with you but the only remedy I know of is to volunteer where you will be supplied with the article But I must close hopeing to hear from you soon I remain as ever your

                                                                                               

affection Brother George

 

NB Remember me to Mr Smith & lady

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