Letter from Capt. Reid.

Camp 15th Reg., Iowa Inft. Vol.
3d Brig., 1st Div., Vicksburg
December 13th, 1863

Part of our Army Corps commanded by Major-General McPherson, and about nine “nigger” regiments of artillery, infantry and cavalry are now holding this post.- Brig.-Gen. Dennis commands our division, Brig.-Gen. Alex Chambers our brigade and Brig.-Gen. McArthur commands the post of Vicksburg.

We have nothing of thrilling interest – no skirmishes, and with the exception of occasional firing on pickets of nights and at target every morning when the Grand Guard is relieved, all is calm as a summer monring. The weather is so mild and pleasant; persons coming from the north would hardly realize that it is winter. Yet we have an occasional cold “spell of weather,” with cold winds and rains; yet like “morning cloud and the early dew,” it soon passes away. Our regiment is generally very healthy – In my company there is not a single man on the sick list, and we have had during the summer and autumn, fewer sick men than any other company in the regiment. Three-fourths and perhaps more, of my company will reenlist at the expiration of their two years service, as “Veteran Volunteers” among these about all the boys from Clark County. Hailing from “Old Lee,” the “Empire County… let me say to you, reader, and to their many friends and relatives, (and to their sweethearts too) for I am an old bachelor myself, and never forget the ladies – that I feel proud of the boys in my company from Clark County. “None but the brave deserve the fair,” and they are truly a gallant set of boys as ever shouldered a musket, and are “dreaming of the hour” when they hope to go home as a company to reorganize and recruit, see their friends, and have a good time generally. An order has recently been issued by the terms of which, when three-fourths of any company or regiment reenlist as Veteran Volunteers, they are permitted to go home to the State from whence they came, and will be permitted to spend not less than thirty days at home. Under that order Co. I will be almost certain get North, as we have counted noses, and ten men have gone in as Veterans, and nearly all the others, whose times are not yet up have signed a paper agreeing to do so. By the 20th of February the “Veterans” will be ready to march.

Sutler’s goods are here at pretty reasonable prices.

No Newspaper is yet published in Vicksburg; but white and unbleached American [illegible, looks like wheels], and a theater are in operation. Quite a number of officers have their wives and children here.

The River is now in good stage and we get Northern and New Orleans papers almost daily.. Oranges, apples, persimmons and fresh oysters are plenty with a sprinkling of cat-fish and almost everything else in the market, which is open every day.

Guards daily patrol the city, taking up citizens and able bodied “niggers” without passes,- the latter are pressed ino the service.

Dutch balls, suppers &c. are the order of the day, - a few nights ago the heroes of Wilson’s Creek had a grand time. I was not present, but understand it was a very “spirited” affair.

A General Court Martial, the “Court of Inquiry,” and a Court Martial for our division are now in session. No civil Court is yet established.

Col. John Adir McDowall, late of the 6th Iowa, and now U. S. Revenue agent, arrived here on the 11th inst.

Confederate money is only worth ten cents on the dollar, and corn meal $2.00 per bushel.

James M. Reid
Capt. Commanding Co. I

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Oscoela, Iowa, January 9, 1864