Camp of the 15^th Regt Ills Vols

at Natchez Miss         

Sunday August 23^d 1863

 

Dear Brother & Sister

                                    I have been looking for a letter from you for quite a long time but have received none since I was at Jackson. It may be your letter was burnt in the mail that was destroyed on the Steamer Ruth I would not have put off writing so long but since I wrote you at Vicksburg we have been kept busy Immediately after we landed here we got marching orders to go out into the country about seventy miles from the city to gather cotton that was stored on the different plantations. We found thousands of bales that had been given by the citizens as security on their foreign debt. But as Uncle / Sammy thought he needed it we went to work and got it to the river. we hauled a large amt away but had not got near through 'till we orders to march back I seen as fine country as I have ever seen. The planters had every thing around them that any person could wish. I tell you we lived from off the fat of the land Natchez is a beautifull place by far the finest place that I have seen in the South It is situated on a high eminence commanding the river. it is a very healthy location. the weather is delightfull here in the mornings & evenings when we get the Gulf breezes but it is very warm in the middle of the day The citizens meet us with more show of kindness than at any place we have for a long time. they are very willing to let us have their produce in exchange for Green-Backs. There is no troops here but the Fighting Fourth Division / excepting one Brigade and by all appearances we will remain here for some time. Since I last wrote to you our Division has been changed from the 16^th Army Corps to the 17^th commanded by Gen^l M^cPherson a splendid officer The work of enlisting Negroes is going on finely down here. we do not lack material as we have any amt of them here of all sizes, ages & color, from the blackest of black to those that are as white as I am but still they are slaves. Never would I believe that amalgamation was carried on to as great an extent as it has been done 'till I got into Dixie to see for myself. I have seen females here in the South that I have talked to and have taken them to free white girls but they told me they were slaves. It is a wonder to me that such a cursed system could prosper as long as it has. 

 

But it is getting late so I must close My love to all enquireing Friends Hopeing to hear from you soon I remain as Ever your Brother

George

 

(Direct as Before)

 

Answered Sep 9/63

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