Dear Minerva

     I have now to acknolledge the receipt of two letters from you One dated the 30" Jan the other 5" Feb I was indeed glad to hear from home once more Previous to this I had received but one letter from you since I left home You had Rec^d the letter I sent by Col Jones, and I am inhopse before this you have had a visit from him for he promised me he would go and see you So that much that you might be disposed to inquire about you will learn from him But as you wish to know how I am off about beding I will say that in the moving around that took place much of my beding was lost But the bed was not. I got me another Cott and I am very comfortably fixed about sleeping now
    There are some caces of Small Pox at this place There are two or three in our Reg^t The Drs are vaccinating as fast as they can get matter to do it with

There was a very suden death in camp this evening The 1st Lieutenant in Co H. [i.e., Lt. Erasmus D. Pudney, Co. H, 53rd Indiana Infantry] had been unwell for some time but was not considered dangerous or Even bad Today he was able to walk about Late this Evening he was quite cherful and about dusk he was found dead in his bed
     I mailed you a letter two or three day ago in which I inclosed you a plot of the orchord with an Extention If you failed to get it I want to hear I will make out and send another if you did not get that for I want the trees to go out as Early in the spring as the ground will do. I gave George full instructions about the putting of them out if he got them But I forgot to tell him to wrap the bodies with straw to prevent the rabits from barking them you be sure and have it done
     You speak of letting John have the use of Phillis to work next summer I am perfectly willing you should while she is not needed at home or accomodate him in any way you may be able

     You say you have rented Sam Tenant a field for corn I have no doubt but it was the best for I doant suppose there will be any such a thing a hireing a hand in the spring Even if it was desireable But situated as you are I should rather rent than hire
     There were some ladies came to the Regiment this morning to see their husbands Mrs Gresham [i.e., Matilda McGrain Gresham] and the Majors wife and the wife of one of the Capts I have not seen them yet. I wish you was here two I wrote to you the other day apon the subject I doant know whether you could arange matters in a way that you would be willing to leave them and it is not certain that we will be here long. I think we will be some where in communication with this place for some time But I will leave you to determine whether you will undertake it or not if you can get suitable company Doant attempt it without I doant know how long those ladies are going to stay If you conclude to come write at once so that if possible I may be apprised of it I want you to write a little oftener any how
     Remember me to all the family

Your affectionate Husband
George Thomas

Memphis Tenn
Feb 19th 1863

     I came down on yesterday by request of the col [i.e., Col. Walter Q. Gresham, 53rd Indiana Infantry] with the body of the Lieut who I informed died the Evening the other part of this letter was writen I succeeded in getting the corpse in a metalic case and started for Indiana last Evening
     When I get to Memphis and see how unpleasant it is and how muddy it is I am glad we are stationed in what is comparatively a secluded place The hardest place in the world to find comfort is where there are such masses of men congregated as have been here and are now around Vicksburgh and I can't help thinking it was our good fortune that we were not sent to Vicksburgh for I know the situation of that large army is anything but pleasant
     Write soon

Your husband
George Thomas