Memphis Tenn            Dec 17^th 1862

 

My Dear Wife

                        I am again seated to improve another oppertunity of writing to you as I learn there will a Boat go this afternoon up the River. I am well with the acceptions of a Cold which you know is no new thing for me in the Winterseason. I have ben injoying myself as best I could since we Came hear last Saturday the men have all had Passes and nearly all ben drunk One is on the fortifications 2 in Provo Guardhouse &c &c and I am down this morning to get them out and arange some buisness and Get Ready for our next Trip—. We are ordered to be Ready to go tomorrow but I dont think we shall be Ready, and we may not go at all. The officers are all trying to Stay. Our colonel had A chance to stay and have charge of the fortifications before But would not take it But says if he has the chance again he will accept it—and he is A Fool if he dont Our Regiment is so small and we have to do the duty of A ful Regiment—But go or Stay it makes litle difference to me—I am injoying myself very well I have only ben on duty one day since we came Back and then it Rained all day & all night Evry other day I have ben in town Running around the City I had as live make 3 dollars A day that way as any other. After a hard march they give us full swing. I am now at Dr. Hopkins I took Dinner with him Sunday he and his wife are fine folks they give me a good many things Caned fruit &c &c/

 

I stood the march well as I told you in my leters which I presume you have before this with A history of the march. I Saw Capt Richardson yesterday he is Still hear he is looking well and shows his good keeping But is very lame and will be till he Gets his discharge which he thinks will be soon. I did not see her neither do I want to he says she is gaining flesh and improveing very fast he thinks she will start home next week but I guess not till he does—She thinks she can take care of the children now I have no doubt she will come home Accomplished They are geting lots of good living for nothing but Guarding the Rankest Secissionests house in Memphis he is a Banker in the southern army—We was ordered out on A Scout Last night But only went A litle way Some says where are we going I guess 50 answered to Guard Capt Richds He is mighty good to me He thinks of going to buying Coton with some one hear who can fournish one hundred thousand dollars But anough about them I am leaveing a little Box hear to send by them or the first One that goes it will Cost 1.50 to Express and it is no hevy it is the Teapot and piece of Carpet I told you about. I have writin to Mary Woods Doc Prouty Charles & Reuben and I dont know who all I am glad you have had so much company it will keep from being Lonesome But will make you Work hard that is the worst and I hope you will go and injoy yourself and make some one else work Besides you What say you to that/

 

Capt. R. asked some of the Boys how they like me for Commander they told him they had never ben taken such care of on A march as I took of them He Says when he gets to Columbus he will do all for me he can but I think all he will do will not amt to much I have Just made a trad of A Watch which will make me 15 or 20 dollars at Least We dont know when we shall be paid and if you can get along I dont care I can get all the money I want I have Got some nice clothes I got my Coat Cleaned & Pressed and it Looks Just as good as new and A splendid Cap and A Pair of 12 Dollar Boots and my Pants I Bot in Cincinnati are as good as new so you see I am all Right Well I am in a hury & must get Back to camp as I have some buisness I dont know whether I shall go down the River or not and dont much care I dont think there will Be much fighting at Vixburg and I want to see them Places taken I think we shall be on the Boat most of the time on the trip Write often and excuse this short Leter Kiss Pet and tell him Pa thinks he is a little man if you go east or ar gone take good care of him

 

                                                My love to all

                                                            Geo

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