Yesterday we moved
back into civilization, and took up quarters in a swamp near the broad
Mississippi. Have a good camping-ground for this country, and if we can get
good rations, I think we will have a healthy regiment once more. We have been
through the flint-mills since we went into quarantine.
The men have
suffered a great deal from bowel complaints, colds, and measles: some have died
of small-pox, and but for the promptness of Surgeon McNelly in having us well
vaccinated, and the infected sent to the pest-house, we might have had a
serious time of it. We are now in better spirits, as we can see what is going
on and hear the news, besides having the advantage of the sunshine and facilities
for purchasing provisions, etc. While writing, I have been detailed as ship's
carpenter on board of a steamboat now fitting out to capture the Federal
gunboat Indianola, which passed our batteries at Vicksburg sometime since, and
has been annoying our transports between this point and Red River. The attempt
will be dangerous, and nothing but the exigency of the case would warrant the
undertaking.
SOURCE: Edwin L.
Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History,
Vol. 1, p. 22-3
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