March 28^th 1863.

 

                        Esteemed friend your letter came to hand last week and I was glad to hear from you but was quite sorry to hear of the sickness in your family: but hope you are all well by this time for I know what sickness is and consequently know how to sympathize with the afflicted. Well since I wrote to you last we have been making some changes in the programme and have made some little advances in the enemy's country but as yet we have done but little or at least we cannot see the fruits of our labor. We left Helena on the 24^th of Feb and started down what is called the Yazoo Pass. We had quite a time getting through the pass from the Mississippi river to what is called Cold water, but as a general thing we have had a very good time of it. Perhaps you may that is strange you may think that a soldier should see good times but a soldier can sometimes see good times as well as any body else. We traveled or rather let our boats float slowly along, the channel being so narrow that we could not go very fast The boat we first started on received so much damage that it was thought unsafe to go with it any farther so were were put on another boat and in this way we managed to get through to the place where we now are We arrived here about two weeks ago the gun boats two in number took the lead and one day a little after noon they came within range of the guns of the enemy's fort. There we came to a halt. that night the regt to which I belong was ordered out on fatigue. we had to roll cotton bales about a mile, part of the way through mud and water, and we rolled them within about ½ a mile of the fort; there we built a sort of battery and breast work and planted a large siege gun and had every thing in working order before daylight next morning The next day nothing was done, but the next day about ten oclock the gun boats opened fire on the fort and cannonading was very heavy for during the remainder of the day. the next day there was a little and so on for two or three days when it entirely ceased. Two or three days after that half our / regt was sent up the river on a foraging expedition our company being one of the number we were having a good time of it taking cotton, potatoes, bacon, beef, molasses, and every thing else that we could make use of in any way one nice morning about ten oclock we were out on a plantation taking every thing we could find that was worth taking when we were completely surprised by the appearance of the entire fleet in full retreat up the river. we were ordered to fall in behind and follow after which order was obeyed but we didn't like that half as well as we did foraging. In this way we traveled along until the next day in the afternoon when what should we meet but another fleet coming down to reinforce us. the consequence has been a halt, turn about and down the river we came again and took up quarters on our old camping ground. Nothing as yet has been done but to fix for a fight which will no doubt come off within a very few days. our regt was out day before yesterday on a scout and we took three of the rebel pickets prisoner they were the first rebels that I had yet seen in arms. on our return to camp we went in a short distance and in full view of the enemy's fort but we were allowed to pass without being molested I dont know that I am very anxious to get in to a fight if it could be got along without it but if it must be so I am ready and willing to do all I can and these are the sentiments of nearly every man now here The 47^th Ind. Regt is along with us but your cousin was left at Helena sick so I have been told. However I thought I saw him this morning but had not time to speak to him to know whether it was him or not. Friend G. you must excuse pencil writing and also poor writing for I have to lay my paper on my knee for a desk as I am now out on picket guard about a mile and a half from camp. Hopeing to soon hear from you and to hear that you are well I will close write soon. Your friend

G Campbell to his friend Gabe Conarroe

 

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March 29^th P.S. I saw your cousin this morning as I was returning to camp and he told me his health was better than it had been for some time

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