Camp of the 15^th Ills Vols                  

on the Memphis & Charleston R.R.

Thursday Feb 6^th 1863           

 

Dear Brother & Sister

                                    As I am nearly alone in camp to day (the balance of the boys being on picket) I thought it would be a good time for me to do up some of my writing and as you are about the first on the list, you of course will be the first served. Your letter of the 25^th of Jan was received a few days ago it came through in very good time considering the number of hands it had to pass through. My letter to you written on the 8^th of Jan whilst at Holly Springs must have had a serious time in getting through In my letter of the 24^th of Jan I told you I was not well I was quite sick for a few days but I feel / purty well again. We are still engaged in guarding the RRoad and I dont like it a bit as we have too much duty to do. Gen^l Grant says since that disgracefull affair at Holly Springs that it has played out in haveing $40 men to guard R.Road so of course he has to call on the old troops especially the noble 15^th to which I have the honor of belonging. I think we will stay here the balance of this winter, if the good citizens in order to save their poultry & hogs drives us away, and I reckon that would be dangerous business for them. The weather here now is very cold about 4 inches of snow on the ground and prospects of more last night was a bitter cold night I nearly froze tho I laid as close to the fire as I could without burning my clothes talk of the Sunny South its all gammon at least in the winter season. 

 

We are expecting to hear every day of a great battle being fought at Vicksburg there was a considerable of wire working to get the 4^th Division to go down the river but I guess our Gen^l being a little cowardly (very little) succeeded in keeping us here. The boys of Co K made our former Capt (now Major) a present of a splendid sword, sash and belt costing near $100 in token of the respect they had for him. the Capt we have now I dont think will ever get any thing of the kind. You'll see the proceedings in the Carroll papers in a week or two. Edwin if the bill to raise negroes Regts passes both Houses, I have a notion to raise a nigger Regt I think their will be a chance for promotion (over the left) But it is nearly time for the mail to go out I must close. Give my love to all enquiring Friends

                                                                       

As Ever your Brother

George

 

(Write Soon)

 

 

[overleaf]

 

Answered Feb 23/63

directed to Memphis

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