Answered March

Camp of the 15^th Ills Regt

On the M.&C.R.Road

Tuesday March 3^d/63

 

Dear Brother & Sister

                                    Yours of the 22^nd came to hand last evening. it was about as long comeing through as the rest I think you had better direct by way of Cairo as all my letters are mailed there. they have got the R.Road repaired from Columbus to this place so we will get our mail by rail now instead of going to Memphis. be carefull when you direct to write 15^th Ills Vols Inft. as there is a Regt of Cavalry of the same number. Since I last wrote to you we have moved about six miles farther toward Memphis to guard a bridge. I think we will be on this line of road for some time. You ask me what I think / of the Emancipation Proclamation, well it will do if it does any good toward puting down this Rebellion. But if they pass the Conscription Bill then I say confusion to the army sooner would I follow any of my friends or relatives to the grave than to see them go into the Army under that Act. I have seen enough of that here in the South. We have got men enough to put down this Rebellion only give us leaders and they will find men to follow. Give us Officers who will not sit in their tents all day pondering over whose chances are the best for promotion or which is the most profitable cotton speculation to invest in, but men we want who are watching the enemy and are ready to take every possible advantage There has been enough of blood-shed on the shrine of Political Ambition. This war has been carried on long enough and too long by a set of men who / care for nothing but power. Sooner would I live under the meanest despotism on earth, than to have the Conscription Act enforced. where is the use of haveing any more men in the field, we have more now than we can use, why do they not make a movement and take Vicksburg? they have men enough there to do it, all they want is a leader. But no they will remain there in idleness 'till the warm summer months comes on, to let the men die by disease. Some may think this is treason but I care not as I know I am writing the sentiments of thousands of my fellow soldiers who as well as myself have braved faced death in a thousand forms to protect the old stars & stripes from insult and injury. But when we see that Flag insulted, disgraced by men high in power, then we ask is it not time for us who are low in military power to rise and say we will choose our own leaders and put down this / cursed Rebellion we can do it and then go home (those of us who live) and tend to the Copper-heads of the North. Make targets of their bodies for the soldiers to practice on and we will soon have the growling put down in our rear. But perhaps I will tire your patience reading so I'll change the subject. You ask me if the Pay-Master has paid us a visit yet. he has paid the troops two months pay but as I was not at Memphis when they mustered I did not get any pay. when he will come again is hard telling We have plenty of good warm clothing now with the exception of shoes they are of no account as we have so much of wet weather. I would ask you to send me a pair of boots but I am afraid they would be lost. But as my sheet is about full I will close My love to all write soon

                                   

as Ever your Brother George

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