Year: 1864




CAMP 2D N. J. Cav, NEAR MEMPHIS, Tenn, !
December s, 1864 !
EDITOR INQUIRER


We are again in the midst of another cold ssnap y
The weather, which had been threatening rain for
several days past took very sudden turn yesterday,
giving clear skies and strong cold atmosphere.
Overcoats which had been laid aside for several days
nothing short Of nuisance, are once more in de-
mand The change affords good opportunity for
the inquistiye to ascertain who has overooats and
who has not. In the course of several day. though,
may expect more moderate weather, but the sky to-
day has the appearance of snow.


Excepting the advent of General Dana here. I
have nothing new in military matters to inform YOU
of. Gen. N. J. 7. Dana, the commander of the CON
soldated districts of West Tennessee and Mississippi
arrived in Memphis yesterday. He fills the place
Gen. Washburne, who leaves to-day for Vicksburg,
to which post he has been assigned. Gen. Dana,
has reputation for great military ability, and we
have doubt but that his administration will be as
satisfactory here it in Vicksburg In relation
to business we hope righteous discrimination viii
be made in favor of all loyal people, and trade re-
stricted were is likely to aid the rebels and pro-
long the rebellion. We have had too much ''whip.
ping round the stump' of the latter for some time
past, and quite likely since the place has been
in our possession. Let us be done with paper col
Jared gentry. What we want is live men, men with
eyes open to every new trick of the rebels.


Deserters are coming into our lines almost daily
and making application to avail themselves of the
provisions of the amnesty act rebel deserter came
into our lines yesterday and asked to take the oath.
-Four came in on Tuesday for the same purposer-
Scarcely day passes that does bring one or more
these repentant gentlemen into our lines. In the
most of ciises they are newly clad in coarse grey
cloth, with copper and brass buttons but invariably
hatless and shoeless, which shows to what strait
the rebels have been reduced. They do not give a
very favorable account Of matters and thinge in reb
eldom.


Our prelsent camp is about three fourtla of mile
from the city, and within plain view Of it. So
far we have been passing the winter in common shell
ter tents, the boys, in most cases, making very COM
Portable houses by sinking in the ground several feet
and building up with logs when they were to be had
The soil here differs materially from thatin Bedford
county. Ne can make an excavation in the earth
for tent, cutting down and making it as nice and
smooth with the spade as if walled up with brick
In most cses the "shebangs' each contain a fire
place, thesolid mother earth composing the sides
and top OF the same, answering all the purposes of
brick or stone. The chimneys in most cases being
composed of some dry material very often take FIRE,
and as it invariably happens when such an event
takes place that there is water to be had the only
alternative left to save the thouse is to tear down
the structure sastanter 0fcourse when such is the
case the bystanders ever ready to administer all
needful consultations to the unlucky owners Of the
chimney.


Part of the lumber is on the ground to put up stab
ling, but the order has been countermanded and
presume that the work viii be abandoned entirely
II 10 sonlethiug greatly needed, though.