Camp Yazoo City       Miss.

July 15 1863

 

            Dear Parents

                                    I thought I would write you a few lines this morning as the mail was a going. I received yours of the 3^d the 11^th as we just got on the boat and was a going to start for port Hudson.  A despatch Boat came up with the news that the place had surrendered the 7^th with 5000 prisinors and 10000 stand of arms. As we was on the boat they thought that they must send us some where. It was reported that the rebs were fortifying the river a long this place. So we was ordered to this place. We got here day before yesterday and took it without any fighting of aney account the rebs burnt down three or four boats that they had here and skedaddled. there was only about five hundred here all together they were North Carolina troops They had the river laid ful of these torpedoes. one of our large gun boats ran on one and it exploded and sunk here. that is all the loss we have had in the week. We took two or three hundred prisinors. this place is a very nice little town 90 mile from the mouth of the river there is plenty of green corn apples and peaches are pretty near ripe. We will try and live while we stay here. I suppose that we will not stay here long. We will go back down the river. We are camped in the court house yard formerly occupied by the rebs. You can see by the paper that it is not very pretty looking paper to write letters on. I havent got my knapsack with me so I have to do the best I can. We have got the men that put the torpedoes in the river. We have give them their choise to have the town burnt or take them all out of the river. They have got them most all out of the river. Tis all this time

 

                                                                                    Direct as before

                                                                                                My love to all

From your affectionate son                 Vet

 

            I dont know as you can make this out if you cant you must guess at it

 

            I will again as soon as I get an oppertunity. Answer soon. the boys are well.

 

            Tell Chas that I will answer his letter soon    Vet

 

[verso]
Sunday July 26^th 1863

 

            Dear Wife

                                    I got this letter last night so I thought you would want to see it of course. wel evrything is all right here, hope you had a pleasant time going to Mich. it was rainy here most all day yesterday. I suppose we shall hear from you soon I hope you will have a good visit so good bye

                                                            Yours Affectionately

                                                                                    George

 [sideways]

 

Not quite so official as it looks to be

The best I can do this time

curcumstances alter cases

Tell Mother not fret I am all right yet and Vicksburg is taken

SOURCES