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Camp Near Knoxville Ten Oct 27 1862
Dear Relations
I have a little time to write and take
the chance. I do not know what I wrote in my
letter day before yesterday and may repeat some of
it. I am well as I ever was, but suffer
a little, with bad colds. It snowed here all day
yesterday and part of the night last night and
is pretty "sloppy" to day in consequences of melting
snow. We are faring better since we got
here, we get nearly full rations which makes
plenty to eat. I changed clothes yesterday for
the first time since about the 1st of October. had
no chance to do it before and you may know that
we were as dirty & Smutty Lousy a looking set as
could be. a clean shirt would have been looked at
with Longing eyes and even a clean face was
only occasionally seen. I think I have written you
most of the particulars of our long and laborious
march through Tennessee and Kentucky and to -
repeat it would be to repeat a hard story.
I do hope I may never be called upon to repeat
the march. Yet after all my hardships, and
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fatigue and hunger I am now a stronger
man than I ever was, I think. A short walk of
a dozen or 15 miles is considered almost nothing
if I can by chance get 3 or 4 hours sleep through
the night. I am in a better situation to
endure hardship and fatigue and can endure
more than I ever had an idea I could endure
If I ever get home and I hope I shall I
shall appreciate good living if I can get it but
may when called to dinner go out doors and
sit flat on the ground by the wash pot from
habit. May not think of a table knives & forks
and plates. I hardly think I shall so far forget
old times as to go out doors at bed time and spread
my blanket on the ground and open the gats [?] to
keep from catching cold. though I have slept
very sweetly in the rain. You must think that
those were hard times, but they were a great
deal more easily borne than you imagine from
the fact we got use to it. I think that our worst
times for this year is past, and gone, and the contrast
between our hard times and ordinary living will make
the ordinary living in camp almost pleasant
Dr Christian brought my my comfort in the
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nick of time just when I needed it
neither sooner or later. he did not get
the socks though. I need some woolen socks
and 2 woolen shirts 2 pair of woolen drawers
if you could contrive them to me. do not
send them except by a good chance to get
them to me. I also want a pair of thick
woolen gloves. I bought me a hat the
other day and only paid $15 for it could not get
one for less except a wool hat which would
have made my head ache.
I would feel first rate to day if I just
knew you all were doing well and not
suffering for necessaries. I trust you are
and my trust is in One that can supply them
when no other being could. May He protect us all
and preserve me to see my little ones good and happy
citizens May they be a comfort to our grey hairs, but
God's will be done.
Please write me how you are doing what is
your prospect for provisions next year how
about salt and every thing you can think
of. Oct 28th There is still snow on the ground
this morning but the weather is very pleasant and
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bracing. I do trust you will send a letter to me
before I leave this place your last letter is a -
month old and more, and I want to hear from you
all Will you tell Dr Brownfield to get me a pair
of hip boots made I want them to be broad enough
May God bless you all and again write.
Yours Truly
Geo. W. Cherry
