Dear Minerva

     You will see from the above that we are fare in the Southern confedracy. I wrote to you from near Youngs Point If you did not get the letter I will simply say here that there was no incident worthy of note on the trip down. We arived at Youngs Point on the 14" marched across the Point to the River below Vicksburgh, where we Embarked yesterday for this place. We get here last night and debarked this morning. We have gone into camp where we will remain until the balance of the Division comes up. Ours is the only Brigad that has got down yet. It seems to be probable that our Division will be used to garrison points for a time. Col Gresham says the 1st Brigade when it arives is to garrison this point. Ours will go farther out. Such seems to be the program at present. But the interest Exigencies or necessities of the service may change it all. Nothing is certain or fixed in the army
     You will certainly have all the news I can give you long before you get this. But the news

is very Encouraging. This is the point from which Genl Grant Started for Jackson the Capital of this state. At Port Gibson a point some ten miles back of this place he had quite a battle and defeated the rebels. Again when near Jackson he Encountered a force said to be ten thousand rebels going from Port Hudson to reinforce Vicksburgh. He defeated them with great loss to the rebels. At Jackson he had another battle. We have not yet got the particulars, that is the relative losses on Each side But he took the place and has destroyed all rail road communication with Vicksburgh. I feel the utmost confidence that Vicksburgh will be reduced or Evacuated at a very Early day. Having a large army there with scant Supplies with their communication cut off is a state of things that cannot be Endured long necessity will force them out of their strong fortifications Either to Evacuate or fight on Equal terms To Evacuate would be disasterous I doant think but what to fight would be more so
     I have but little idea yet of what aspect the interior of the country wears where where it has not been held by troop of one or the other side. I suppose however that there is something in the way of agriculture going on. But along the river from here to Memphis so fare as I saw it is one scene of desolation With one solitary instance I did not see an acre of ploughed land And in that instance the owner

of the farm had left and all the able bodied negroes had left But a few old men and women had remained and were trying to raise some corn. This people surely never realized what war was until they brought it apon them selvs. Most terribably are they suffering for their idea of Independence
     The weather is now clear and the sun shines hot but there is generally a breeze that makes it pleasant in the shade. The night are cool Enough to sleep comfortably under a pair of blankets
     No more today. Write often whether you hear from me or not If you get no letters it will be owing to the uncertainty of the mails. But I think they will reach you some time
     Remember me to all the family

Your affectionate Husband
George Thomas