Grand Junction Tenn.
March 9th 1862
Dear Mother and Sisters,
I wrote a few lines yesterday telling you where we were but could not finish it on account of our being ordered back to this place where we are and are likely to stay a week or so. General Beauregard was in Jackson but was too sick to make his appearance so we were greatly disappointed in not seeing him. we are all very well and in high spirits. I was made cook of the mess for the first week and maybe will be reinstalled when my time expires. My coffee comes just in place now as we do not receive our rations of coffee yet although we will receive them as soon as we are permanently encamped which will shortly be the case.
By the time you receive this letter our left wing will have joined us as we
have received news to that effect.
We are not yet in camp but our tents and baggage has gave out to camp we will likely be moved out there tomorrow last night our Company took up our lodging in a Methodist church and a very good nights sleep I had of it only falling out of bed if bed it could be called once as said bed was a plank raised up from the flore about two feet.
The first night out from New Orleans while running up a hill I feel and sprained my ancle very badly and was therefore excused from duty though it is very nearly well now. and I will likely be put on guard to night.
As for news I can give you none as I have not seen a paper since I left New Orleans.
It would really amuse you all to see our men cooking here for we have none of us received our cooking utencils yet and have to do all our cooking in our plates but luckily for our mess we have a coffee pot. A sauce pan and mu tin bucket we can get along very well. our mess has the reputation of being the best mess in the company when I say best I mean best cookers in fact we get along so well that our captain Leut. and Adjutant honor[?] us with their presence and say we cook admireably.
I am now writing on my nappsack on the side of a hill so you must not expect me to be very particular about the formation of my letters.
There are now several Yankee prisoners in this town and our boys hoot at them to an extent that is
shamefull
You may answer this letter and direct to E. W. Mudge Co. D.Crescent Regt. Grand Junction Tenn. and I think I will get it as w all expect to stay here a week at least. if not more but you must answer immediately in case we are ordered away sooner. A great many of the people up [illegible] and around Jackson are [illegible] republicans thought they keep their mouthes shut
Tell Sister Sally I will write Hes[?] A long letter as soon as we are settled down but will not be able to do so until then.
So with lots of live for all I remain yours off. Son and Brother
E.W.Mudge
