Camp in the Navy Yard Memphis

                                                                                                            Tenn Feby 19^th 1863

 

            My Dear Fannie

                                    Uncle Sam’s mail has finally succeeded in bringing me a letter from you dated Feby 4^th, and I sincerely hope that the exertion he has made may not proove to much for him, as I hope for more in the future. I began to think the old fellow a very weak backed individual if he could bring me only one letter in the course of one or two months, and am waiting now very patiently to see if my fears proove groundless.

 

            I suppose ere this reaches you you will have seen Sergeant Glendening and have heard more more of the news and more concerning us than I can write in a week. he promised me to see you and tell you of my evil doings &c. I should have sent a note and some little furns from Dixie but I was not aware that he was going home until about ten minutes before he started and then it was to late. I dont think Glen knew that he was going until a little while before he started. You know that such movements are kept very still in the Army. I suppose there is no harm now in telling their object. they are after deserters some of which never joined the Reg^mt. there was a greater number of deserters from Glen^s company than from any other one Company in the Regiment. Oh! would’nt I have liked to have gone north with him. I would have given almost any thing for the priveledge. but my position in the Reg^mt is such that it would be very difficult for me to get a furlough even for a few days unless I was sick. but I hope I may never have occasion to get a furlough on that ground. I had rather be well and do my duty like a soldier than to be in the / Surgeons care. I have pictured out in my mind what glorious times we would have had, had I been there with G— what sleigh-rides sings &c. it is enough to make a soldiers mouth water to think of it. but I do not envey G- the pleasure he will take. he is deserving of some favor of that kind he is a good fellow and does his duty as well as any Soldier in the Regiment.

 

            We are having quite an interesting time with the Rebels on the opposite side of the river. they come down on the Arkansas shore to make observations of our movements and as often as they show themselves they are sure to have a lively time. our troops immediately open fire with shell and in a very short time they are not to be seen. day-before yesterday they fired three shells from those enormous Mortars which you read so much about at the storming of Island No 10. they make a noise as loud as seven thunders. when they are fired the men all leave the boat, except the man who pulls it off and he steps into a skiff beside the Mortar-boat. the concussion is so greate that they cannot stand it. there was a little town named Hopefield on the oposite side of the River which the rebels used to occupy. they burned a Steam-boat a few days ago for us, and that with numerous other acts of a similar kind, finally brought upon them a judgment the penalty of which they suffered yesterday. about noon yesterday a gun boat accompanied with by a boat with troops steamed across the river and very deliberately set the Town on fire. a few of the Rebels showed themselves but four or five shell from the gun boat made them skedaddle mighty quick. the town was about as large as Weyauwega and there is not a house or any building left standing, the worke of destruction was complete. some of the buildings burned splendidly, it done one good to see them burn I tell you, it seemed like righteous punishment for them

 

            I began this letter yesterday but had not / time to finish it as I am very busy now most of the time. last evening the Adjutant was fencing with a man and received a Saber thrust in his right arm which will disable him for the present from doing duty, consequently I have both his and my own work to do. it has been a very busy day up town. Gen^l Logans division embarked for Vicksburg. I wish you could have been here Fanny and seen the sight you could have formed some faint idea of the magnitude and grandure of our army. there were about thirty very large steamers to transport the troops and the men wer as thick as bees on them. the soldiers most of them seemed to be in good spirits and eager for the campaign, though many poor fellows will never return again. it is reported very sickly at Vicksburg and probably will be until the rainy season is over which will not be very long now.

 

            Then Fanny you began to fear that I doubted your love and constancy did you? You can releave yourself of all such fears dear Fanny for my faith in you is unbounded. it seemed strange to be sure that I got no letters for so long a time, but I knew that it was no fault of yours for you had promised to write me and I knew you would. No Fanny however cynical I may have been I assure you there is nothing of the kind in my affection for you and I never expect there will be. You seem to think that this war is a bad thing and so do I. the prospects are very fair for our staying our regular three years, though I am in hopes that it may be closed before that time. it is hard to be seperated from friends and loved ones so long. but you know Fanny that if our country demands the sacrifice we must submit without a murmur or complaint. I received a letter from Mother and sister Teen a few days since they thought from the way I wrote that I was getting discouraged with the prospects of things. it was quite amusing to see how they tried / to cheer me up. they are mistaken in me if they expect me to show the white feather.

 

            Fanny please tell Glen^d that Corp^l Smith of Co “F” is dead & was buryed yesterday with military honors. he was shot a few days ago while doing duty. it is no very uncomon thing to hear of shooting and murder in this City but they have to keep pretty straight when our boys are around. I came very near getting in a scrape the other night myself. All of the Non Commissioned Staff (myself included) borrowed commissioned officers coats and went up town to the theater. the guards arrest all Non Comⁿ officers and privates found on the street after dark, but we trusted to our shoulder straps to take us through. when we were passing one of the street lamps the Sergeant of the guard recognized us and arrested us. well we went before the Capt of the Provost Guard, who by the way is a particular friend of mine. I gave him the wink and he ordered the Guard to let us pass as we were all right. if he had been some Captains we would all have gone to the lockup to spend the night. the Col gave us a little talking too and told us not to do it again. Glen laughed at me a good deal for getting caught in such a scrape, but it is half to own it aint it Fanny.

 

            I dont see but what I have written a pretty long letter, but you must excuse all dificiency’s for I have written it by odd spels when I could get time. I received the circular you sent, am much obliged. should like to have been there very much and heard those two Miss Dotys sing.

 

            But I must close please give my love to all & accept much your-self. please write soon

 

                                                                                    Yours Afectionately

                                                                                                            F. M. Guernsey

 

P.S. Tell your Mother if she will send that cat down here I will extract her teeth so that she will do no more injury

 

            I am afraid Fanny that you need an overseer. you must be careful of your health

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