.NDQ5.NTY1

Memphis Tenn. Dec. 19th 1863, Dear Sister, Still at the old place, but I do not think we shall remain here long, as boats are comeing in to port very fast, there are now nearly thirty here, every thing is being got in readiness for a forward movement. You say you like long letters and often, so will begin this to day, and if we leave of a sudden shall have it ready to send. On Wednesday there was another grand review, of fourteen Regiments, two Brigades, about ten thousand men, we started at eleven O clock marched five miles, each Brigade was formed in line. Gen. Sherman and Staff then rode slowly along the lines, he seemed to notice every man, they then took a stand and the division marched pased them, and once more formed in line, when we were dismissed and returned to quarters at nine in the evening. Beside the Infantry there was two companies of Cavalry and one Batty. of Artilery, these are the Generals boddy guard. The Gen. gave the Regiment a compliment, as making a good appearance on the field. I suppose it was only a word of encouragement that he gave to all. In the last three days we have been haveing a foretaste of the smell and sound of [vertical writing begin] I read the piece in Harpers that you marked, it was an exelant article it told a great many truths in regard to this war [vertical writing end]