Dear Minerva

     I arived here on the 19th inst. I wrote to you shortly after that time acquainting you with the cause of my detention. It still Exists. I am becoming sickened out with the management of some of our functionarys. Here was a road opon which Gen Grant had to depend for all his Supplies that has been permited to be torn up at a time and under circumstances when it could to a great Extent have been prevented There were troops brought in off of pickett duty on the road at the time the rebels were doing the mischief who said if a force was sent out then but little mischief had been done and they could be stoped The troops were here They were ordered out in the Evening and ordered back Early next morning Every thing in the way of defences was brought right into this town What troops was here were Kept in line of battle for som three days right at the Edge of town no Effort was

made as fare as I know or believe to assertain the rebels whereabouts or strength I doant believe that any pickets were sent out of sight of town During all this time the rebels came quietly along the road and done as much damage as they thought proper and quietly departed. We then supposed that steps would be taken to repair the road Gen Davies [i.e., Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Davies] said it would be done at once. I went to him myself to know if my chance would be better to get to my Reg from here or if it wouldent be better to go to Memphis or farther down Hee said I had better stay here for there was no way of getting to it from below I have been of the opinion that Gen Grant would have to open communication with the Mississippi River Either at Memphis or some point below there in order to get his supplies But out of quite a number of officers who are here jus as I am trying to get to their Reg they all thought we had better remain here I did not like to break off and go alone -- but if I had have met with Gen Veatch [i.e., Brig. Gen. James C. Veatch] I should have gon down Hee was some two days behind me and did not stop here but went on down from Cairo as I afterwords learned

On the 23rd of Dec some Eight days ago the Engineer who has charge of the work proposed to Gen Davies to put the road in running order in five days if he would protect him with two thousand men. The men were here -- the road could have been completed three days ago But notwithstanding all this there wasent a wheel turned toward it until this morning. -- I am inhopse it will be in running order by the last of this week -- But of this I doant feel atall sure -- For some of our military men seem to be trying "how not to do it" If what I have written above was made public it would perhapse be deemed insubordination for which I might have to answer And yet I doant believe I have portrayed the Enormity of the fault committed
     I have grown very impatient But for that fact my condition is pleasant Enough my health I think has been improving Ever since I have been here. I have an Excellent opertunity of taking care of my self which I doant neglect
     Write often I will get your letter sometime -- Remember me to all

Your affectionate husband
George Thomas