Head Quarters 54 Regt Ovifty

                                                                        Camp near Memphis Tenn Sept 13^th 62

 

Dear Cinda and Little Son

                                                it is Saturday morning and I have Just come in from Outpost Picket Guard where I went yesterday morning I have Just Got washed and some clean clothes on and feel very well with a few slight variations. One is a Severe headake from not having any Sleep the other is a Sore throat and Mouth which is some beter it has ben Bad victuals or any thing else has had no natural taste at all Water tastes more like Soapsuds than anything else But I think it will be beter soon I have had no appetite lately But still I feel very well yesterday was an exciting day General Sherman sent me out word to Double my Pickets and if they attacked me to fight them all the way in He expected an attack for our men were comeing in with a lot of Prisoners and he expected them to make an attack to get them away—But before night they Began Coming Back one detachment after another Presently General Smith Came Riding up to me and Said he had a Big train of Nigers following and I must halt and keep them 3 Quarters of an hour So that the men could get in camp and then let them Come on and pretty soon on came the cursedest Lot of the Collored Population you ever heard of some hundred of men women and children Raged 1/2 naked Some wenches with Children 3 weeks old and I assure you they were a hard sight I will make no comments as you well no my opinion/

 

Our forces went to Coldwater a distance of some 33 Miles had an ingagement in which some 15 or 20 Rebels were killed and several Prisoners taken 30 I believe they Burned the town of coldwater 3 large Railroad Bridges a large st(?) mill and dwelling and the most of the town and what was not Burned was Robed and Plundered our men came in Loaded with Bed quilts and evry thing else and such a scandalous sight as it was of stealing of Nigers I never saw and never expected to see and if this is to be the war policy I Deliver me from the service…it suits some well But it dont suit me

 

                                                I have not had a letter from you in some time I hope I may get one to day when the male comes. I have no doubt you are very anxious to know what I am going to do and that is Just what I should like to no But all I can do is wate and abide By the Powers that Be—I shall Resign on account of my health as soon as I can Bring the thing Round Right but I know it will do no good whatever My Papers were all Right as I wrote you Before which I presume you have got—I feel something like this that unless a man sticks to the service he will not amt to much after the war is over—and I can do beter hear than any where else and if I am obliged to I shall do the best I can I can as well as hundreds of others who have not seen their familes for 9 months or a year they cant get any start of me

 

Capt Richardson Says the Colonel has halled  in his horns beyond all account since he finds he cant do anything with me that my Papers were all Right But the mail is Just Ready to go and I will close/and will write you again tomorrow providing I get a letter from you to day so that I have any thing to write Cutter is appointed Lt and I supose will Be assigned to our Company I hope so he is a good fellow Kiss my pet Yours in Haste Geo

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