American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-08-01
CAMP MERIDIAN,
10th Reg. Miss. Vols,
,Juty 2Sth. 1862,

(whIther | had ssarted) for day or two yet,
conclude to GO drop you line"
OF all the places l have ever been compelled
to remain at, this is certainly the most disa-
greeable. mean tie city Of Meridian. Ny
quarters are much more pleasant, however,
than other unfortunate travellers have had
during our sojourn.
On my arrival here I ascertained that a
large portion of the army at Tupelo was be-
ing transported over the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad, and that Gen. Bragg had put an
embargo upon all travel. No "citizen" could
be allowed to pass over the road until his
troops had passed down. 1t was hard to sub
nit to this order when one was expecting to
be in Richmond by the time this blockade
should be raised. But my country's cause
demands the sacrifice, and 1 make it with as
good grace as possible.
The hotel accommodations here are a dis
grace to the name. The meanest fare posi-
BILE at the highest price seems to be the order.
There have been perhaps from three to FIVE
hundred persons detained here since Tuesday
last Many of these have sought and found
repose upon the soft side of plank, subsist-
ing upon rations wisely provided before leay-
ing home, and but for which their bread
baskets would have suffered from emptiness.
Many poor men who had not taken this pre-
caution, and being short of funds, have suf-
fered great Inconvenience. l have seen men,
women and children lying around the depots
for days and nights together, waiting trans
portation. Quite a number of soldiers be-
longing to the army in Va. are here en- route
for Richmond, but Gen. Bragg's army takes
precedence, and even these are not allowed
to go. Then there are sick and wounded
soldiers-old men trying to get through to
minister to their wounded sons at Richmond,
not one of whom can get along. Some of the
latter have despaired and turned back others
have resolved to wait their turn. I would
have turned back myself, but concluded it
was better to hold on. Surely it won't be
long till we can get through.
I said my quarters were better than some
others. On my arrival here l learned that
the 10th Miss. Reg. was in camp on the hill
overlooking the town, and ascertained that
my friends Col. Colbert and 1t. Col. Camp
bell of Leake and Alfalfa were in command,
and also that my Anglo-Spansh friend G. D.
Bustamente was in charge of the commissa-
riat 1t occurred to me at once that it would
be a good thing for me to ago into camp"
1t was not long before l met Capt. B., afore-
said, whose proverbial generosity was mani
fest, as ever, and l received a cordial invita-
ton to join his mess"
I recognize many friends of yore in this
composed as it is of men from At
tala, Leake, Neshoba, Jasper and Madison
counties, and indeed l have had "goodly
heritage" l find the headquarters of the
regiment graced with the presence and genial |
offices of Lieut.. Col. Campbelrs and Major |
excellent ladies. Ny friend Col. |
Colbert has warm heart, and gives cordial
welcome at his tent, but, poor fellow, he has |
no wife. What pity! But all the girls /
have promised to wait till the boys come
home from the war, and am sure the gallant
Colonel is not doomed to life of "single "
loretchedness.
The material of which this regiment is
am sure, is rarely surpassed in
It's moral element-seldom equaled in its
physical One fact is worthy of special re-
mark, viz. that this regiment was gotten up
since the passage of the conscript law, and
yet l am told that perhaps majority of the
men are over the age of CONSUMPTION. The
'ure spirit of patriotism has prompted them
o the field. Such men will make their mark
The officers, all, are diligent, working faith
ully to get the regiment perfect in the drill,
md ready for active service.
find many things about camp novel and
to me, and through the politeness
If the officers l have had many things ex-
lained to me that | had not before fully
Understood. My temporary sojourn here has
'een altogether pleasant as could reasonably
ave been expected There is much to ad-
nlre in the discipline of a regimental camp,
nd much to excite the sympathies of look
ron, beth for the officers and men, No one
an imagine the difficulties of a regimental
commander. He is constantly annoyed with