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Before leaving Lafayette, all those who were not
able to march were sent here on the cars. But there was a terrible
accident happened them when near Germantown, about fifteen miles
from here. The cars ran off the track, killing six and wounding
seventy-five out of the Division. Six or seven of our company
were among them, but they all escaped unhurt, I believe, excepting
B. F. Bailey, who was slightly bruised on the nose and back of
the head. The cause was said to be carelessness on the part of
the engineer. He didn't want to take them at all, but General
Logan sent down a company armed and gave them orders to fire into
the train if they moved without taking his sick on board. Logan
was commander of the post; and he was bound to make them live
up to his orders. He is just the man for a General; there is
no discount on him.
The long looked for Paymaster has at last made his
appearance among us. He didn't do much good, though, as he only
gave us two months' pay, up to the 31st of August. Of course
the new recruits got no pay at all. But the Paymaster said it
was the intention, in twenty days to pay this Department the remaining
four months pay that is due them, which we sincerely hope is true.
From appearances I don't believe there will be much
of it sent home this time, as Memphis affords so many opportunities
for spending money. And as the boys have seen some pretty hard
times lately, they appear as though they would like a change of
diet. But the principal diet with some is whisky, which is very
abundant in town; and it seems they are determined to have it,
regardless of cost and consequences. A good many have been spreeing
ever since we come here. It is getting too common, and they are
taking means to stop it. We have camp guards on, and only two
persons are allowed to pass out at a time, and then only for two
hours: the passes to be approved at regimental and Brigade headquarters.
We have five roll calls a day, and all those who are absent without
leave are taken to headquarters and punished. To-day they are
engaged in building a guard-house. Every day our camp is filled
with women and boys peddling apples, cakes, pies, etc., and as
the boys are all "flush," it don't take long to empty
their baskets.
Business appears to be as brisk in Memphis, as though
no war was going on. It puts one in mind of Columbus or Cincinnati.
It contains large and splendid business houses, together with
dwellings as nice as any one could wish for. And oh! the pretty
women! It does one's soul good to view their lovely features
in passing along through the town, after being out of sight of
them for so long.
As usual, it is raining to-day. Most of the regiment
went over to town this morning in charge of the commissioned officers
to see the city of Memphis and the raging Mississippi. Yours
truly,
TYPO.
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