Camp Boles            Sunday Morning

Dec 7^th 1862

 

            Dear friend Marlin

                                    Again I write you a few lines thinking Prehaps Cinda May Be there and be anxious to hear from me—We left Camp in the Cornfield the Same day I wrote you and and we moved on to the Talahatchie River we Marched from 2 in the morning till about 3 in the after noon when we Reached the River We expicted a fight could hear the cannon Roaring at Abbyville where General Grant was fighting them to make them Stand but no use They evacuated their fort Cut the fery Boat into and Blockaded the Road for 1/2 a mile We crossed over our Regt was the first to cross and then the cavelry commenced swiming their horses across—They would drive in some 15 or 20 & 50 at a time and a Darkey would Ride one across for the Rest to follow they not being used to it would Pull to hard on the Rain and down would go Horse Darkey & all making great Sport for the Boys but they got Across and started with dispatches for General grant it was Raining hard all the time our Pontoon Bridges soon came up and the army commenced crossing that nigh they clared the Road/and the next day we started on A scout we went out 8 miles & Back But saw none of the enemy except 2 or 3 we found who had ben woundid the Previous day and ben carred to their homes Genl Grant Took some 400 prisoners killing several

 

My detail of the march must be short as I have but A few minutes to write as you may guess by the Look of this—But they have Got my ink and I mus take A Pencil

 

We are seeing Tough times Part of the time I have slept out in the Rain with one Blanket on 2 Rails in the Rain But I am well and harty Our men are  on 2 thirds Rations and will soon be on half But there is plenty of meat this is a wealthy Country and short Rations are mad Long with Hogs chickens &c We are now in A Beautiful Camp 4 miles from the River where Shermans Corps is all incamped I think we shall soon move in 3 or 4 Days at Least I hope to hear from home before Long

 

I was out forageing yesterday beyond the Pickits there is any Amt of Cotton Thousands of Bales which of course the government will Seize I am ashamed to write in Such a hury But I no/Cinda will Be anxious about me tell her I am well and in fine spirits and have writen to her to day (if you see her) I must close as it is time for the mail General Grant visits this Camp to day with all the Rest of the commanders of this expedition for the Purpose of holding A councill of war Excuse my hury I Write

 

                                                Respy in Haste            GWBrowning

                                                                        Lt Co E 54 ovi

                                    Direct Memphis to follow the Regt

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