Answered

            Ap 2, 1863

 

In Camp at Memphis

Saturday March 21^st 1863

 

Dear Brother & Sister

                                    Yours of March 12^th came to hand in due time it seems as tho our letters goes through much sooner than they used too they had a good bit of room for improvement. Well we have got back to Memphis again and our are fixing up from for a three months campaign. we are getting new camp equipage new clothes new every thing excepting Green Backs there appears to be a scarcity of them. as to where they are going to take us I do not know there are various reports as to where we are going my opinion is we are going to Vicksburg. some say we are going to stay in Memphis to do duty we are now doing / picket duty in and around Memphis to prevent smugling we have some fun examing goods that goes outside our lines to see that there is no contraband I tell you they dont like it but they cant help themselves there was one of our guards made about 3000$ night before last by takeing a man with contraband goods We have had a drilling match this week in the 4^th Division for a silver bugle the 15^th I understand carries off the prize. Edwin accept my thanks for your kindness in sending me money if it was not for you I would be entirely out of funds. I dont know wether they are going to pay us off before they discharge us or not. Edwin you had better not send those boots as I was enquireing of at the Transportation Office they think it would be very doubtfull if I would get them. Boots here like those I got in Pittsburg / are worth 15$ pr pair and hard to get at that. The weather is getting much more pleasant than when I wrote to you last, and if it keeps on getting warm as fast for the next three months as it has the past ten days I for one will not be able to stand it. I noticed new onions & lettuce in the market yesterday Tomatoes, Sue have not made their appearance yet. The health of the troops here is excellent. Tho Memphis is one vast hospital filled with sick from Vicksburg and other points on the river

 

Well Edwin I suppose you will come under the lists of conscripts but hope you will not have to go. But I must close now as there is a boat going to take the mail up the river to day and I want to send this.

 

Remember me to all Friends

 

Write soon                 

 

As Ever Your Brother

George

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