Camp of the 15^th Regt Ills Vols

at Memphis April 13^th 1863   

 

Dear Brother & Sister

                                    Yours of the 6^th came to hand in due time. I had about come to the conclusion that my last letter had been miscarried as I did not get an answer from it for so long. I do not see why it is that letters remains in Memphis so long before they are sent off it is not owing to the mail boats not leaving as there is one or more leaves here daily. it must be the negligence of those who have charge of the mail We are haveing the finest weather now that I have ever seen the spring season in the South is truly beautifull. it would repay any one who has the time and means to take a trip over this portion of Tenn 

 

 

Well we have got started here to raise regiments out of the Colored Population of Memphis there is a number out of the 15^th engaged in raising comp's with the prospect of getting a position when I ask for a position in a nigger Regt it will be when I like soldiering better than I do now. I can imagine seeing them handleing the musket. it will be a proud moment for our government to look back upon when they had to call in the niggers to help put down this Rebellion.

 

Our camp is getting quite a number of visitors from the North. they are comeing I presume to evade the Conscription they will find but very little sympathy among the soldiers. The very men that ought to be made soldier are the very ones that will escape the draft. It seems to me that the government sets the value of our services at very low figures when they provided that / a person by paying $300 could get out of it. I will give any one all that is comeing to me also my bounty if they will take my place the balance of my time they have commenced granting furloughs in this department I am going to try and get home this summer dont know wether I will succeed or not. Co. B of the 13^th started for Chicago a few days ago to take a lot of prisoners up to Camp Douglas report says we are going to be engaged in such duty this summer 'till we get the Regt filled up with Conscripts—

 

Remember me to all enquireing Friends

 

Tell Amanda not to get out of heart that her letter will come before long

                       

Write Soon as Ever Your

Brother George B Miles

 

[overleaf]

 

Answered

            Ap 27, 1863

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