November 30, 1862
Memphis, TN

At Memphis  West Tennessee  Sunday nite Nov the 30th 1862

Dear Wife 
 I seat my self to nite at the table in the cabin of the Boat to let you no that I am in good health for 
which I thank god  I hope this will reach and find all in good health and fine spirits  We got here at 
sunset tonite  We have had a long an tedious trip  We have ben on Bord 2 weeks  I havent herd a 
word ftom you since I left the gap  Since that time we have traveled about 15 hundred miles  I am 
now 800 miles from home  Memphis looks quite natural  I can inform you that on our arivel here I 
met Bruther Hauck at the landing and was glad to see him  he is ward master in the hospital here  
We talked together till after dark  he seys he will visit us in the morning again  he seys he expects to 
start home next week  if he comes home he can tell you how the old 49th looks  Now I cant give 
you much news at this time as we have just come here  it is liklely we will stay here some time though 
I cant tell  I dont no whether we will take a land march from here or go down on a fleet  thare is lots 
of troops coming down in here  thare is a battle expected at holly springs  that is 40 miles from here  
We may have to go out thare  I can tell you more about these things in my next letter  I only rite this 
to let you no that I got through  I had the blews verry bad as I passed down so clost home but I am 
getting over them now  I expect to fight her through or die god being my help  W left cairo nite before 
last  it was snowing but this has ben a mild day  it is raining some here this eavning  the climate is more 
mild here than it is in indiana  We will leave these boats tomorrow I recon and go in camp some where 
about here  Thare is a gun Boat ankored out in the River here with 8 canons looking out at the port holes  
it looks Wolfish  I think as soon as the river raises our troops will make a move on Vikburgh  Now I expect 
to help do some fighting down here  I may fall god only nowes  I am trying to live a Christian  Sometimes I 
feel like god is ging to spare my life to see my home again  But dangers stands thick through all the land to 
push me to the tomb and fierce diseases wait around to hurry mortals home  2 of our Regt was drowned 
coming down one died  we stoped yester and buried him in the sandy bottom opposite island No 14 in 
tennessee  we fired a few shots over him and left him to molder in the sand  this has ben a day of meditation 
with me  I took my seat high on herican deck and red several beutiful psalms and looked over the father of 
waters and fertile bottoms  instead of the cotton as it ust to be it is corn  I oley saw 1 cotton field today  so
enough on that  Now Rachel when you get this I shal expect an ancer with all the Back and present news  
I understand we have a big mail here  I may get a letter from you tomorrow  I hope so at least  tell father 
Mack to be shure to rite me a letter and Brother Mickler John Ellis and all my old friends if tha consider 
me worthy  Direct to the Memphis Tenn  49 Regt Ind Vol care of Capt charles and think it will be shure 
to find us  Now Rachel if I never see you again try to raise the Boys religous and for the union  
Yours as ever
 D.S. Morgan to Rachel Morgan

	
* as always, I do not correct the spelling or change the text.