No 4

Memphis, Tenn. June 30^th, 1863.

 

My Dear Wife,

                         I would be extremely gratified if I could make this a repy to a letter from you. But circumstances are as they could not otherwise be without the aid of foreknowledge; and I will make myself as contented as I can by writing to you often knowing that the answers to all my letters will be forthcomeing as soon as I arrive at the rebel Sebastopol. (If such a time ever comes) This is the fifth day since our boat landed at Memphis and but little prospect for it leaving to-day. But if it was not for my anxiety to get to the Reg. and see the boys and get letters from home I would have but little reason to complain of our being delayed here for I have had perfect liberty to go where I pleased and stay just as long as I pleased, provided I run my own risk of the boat leaving me and carrying off all my baggage. However I have managed to do a pretty considerable / running around at a small risk of being left. When I would see lashed up beside our boat a coal barge the contents of which I knew would take the hands all day to put aboard, I would take a long tramp out through different parts of the City without ever looking back to see if the Ohio Bell was steaming up. Once I went to the Capt. of the boat and asked him if he thought he would be likely to shove out that day? He said no. So I took another stroll without much risk of being left. And now I believe I can say that I have seen a great deal of Memphis in its most favorable season for luxury and beauty. I saw in a garden the famous Magnola Tree in bloom; and I believe its fame for beauty and fragrance is exceded only by its merits. The flower is white and about one foot in diameter and emits an odor as sweet as pink and much more abundant. In the same garden I saw plenty of ripe peaches, pears and apples. This you know seems to us very early for such fruit to mature and ripen. Comt Square looks much nicer than I ever saw it before. / Since so many thousands of the citizens here have repented of their political sins and sworn allegiance to the Government, they have raised a splendid flag over Jackson Monument. Yesterday I was all through the fortifications, and I found them much more formidable than I had ever heard they were. There is but one fort here but it is very extensive. It is on the River bank and commences in the lower suburbs of the City and extends down over two miles. A Capt. in the fort told me that on a straight line, the fortifications extended down the River two miles and a quarter but he said to follow all the angles and zig zags of the works a man would have to travail a distance of over five miles. He also told me that there were over three hundred heavy guns mounted on the works. From what I could see for myself I had no reason to doubt the veracity of my informant. It is rumored through the streets and in the papers here that the Rebels intend to attack this place; (?) but if we have enough men here to man all the heavy Dahlgreens / Columbiads and Parrotts that I saw mounted in that fort yesterday the Rebels will hear plenty of musick while they are takeing Memphis. I attended the theater here last night. It opened with the play entitled Warlock of the Glen. It was a splendid piece and was well performed. Next on the programme was some ballads the first of which was entitled "Do they think of me at home." I wish I had the words of this song and could sing it as well as it was sung last night. It was really affecting to every one present and especially to soldiers. I tell you Dear Loo, I could not keep the tears out of my eyes.

 

The other songs were patriotic—some of them new to me and some of them old but all good. The whole was concluded by the play entitled "All is not Gold that Glitters". We have the news here that Port Hudson has capitulated and I hope it is true. The indications are favorable just now for our boat to shove out shortly. I hasten to close and mail this.

 

I will mail another letter to you at Helena.

 

            A kiss for Olie, and my best respects to all the folks.

 

            Your very affectionate husband

                                                            Enos Reed.

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