George Q. Turner to his sister - June 3, 1863

Granville, Tenn
June 3rd/63

My dear Julia

It has been such a long long time since we have received any letters from home. What can be the matter, something worng I know in the mails but we have been most unfortunate. All the other boys get letters from home. Henry Terrill 1 and Will Simpson 2 several since your last, but tis enough for a growl.

Frank and I are still separated but I go to see the A.A.G. 3 tomorrow. I have been trying to get into Ky to get me a horse for Lem. I was just on the point of giving $350 for one to day when very opportunely I got a note from Frank stating that his darling old Pancho had been stolen from him and that he had purchased a sorrell mare mare for $260, he had hardly made the purchase when he heard of his redoubtable Pancho and sent three men after the thief, who succeeded in capturing the fellow and he wishes me to come on and take the mare. I am very glad as it gives me an opportunity of seeing his dear old face again, relieves me from the unpleasant necessity of sneaking up into Ky in the double and doubtful capacity of scout and horse thief. As our boys borrow more than half the horses they are getting from there, of old Union tories certainly but nevertheless without an equivalent. We are having an easy time of it just now. We are temporaly detached from the Brigade to support a Battery and half of us sent at a time to picket the fords of the Cumberland and forage on the Ky line. Our Camp is in the fastnesses of the Cumberland Mountains, where our animals luxuriate in clover nooks between its towering cliffs and feed on tory corn. The magnificent scenery more than repays me for all the petty annoyance sof a soldiers life. I am never tired of looking upon the lofty peaks crowned with such lovely massive foliage. These pictures have all the wild grandeur of California scenery with the mellow tone of cultivated fields, with such picturesque old cottages and stone walls as would delight the heart of a wandering artist. If there is anything that I am thankful to our Creator for, it is the high and almost spiritual appreciation I have been blessed with, for the beauties and Mysteries of Nature. Often when my messmates are lazily sleeping, or playing cards, I am climbing up the steep face of some butting cragg and gathering armsful of wild flowers, fossils &c that would delight you to behold. I have parted at last with Old Gallinipper he gave out with Lem on a trip to the Cumberland and I took him to a Planter (Col Medlock) and told him if he would promise me that he would never part with him and take good care of him he might have him for what he would give. The old gentleman after examining him, concluded that he could not afford to give me more than $20. So I left him at peace in the broad clover pastures of the Cumberland—may his declining years be crowned with ease and plenty. Our Virginia victories came in very good time, and brightened the prospect of our situation that was assuming a dark and doubtful prospect. Now the most cheering news comes to us from Miss. The many and bloody repulses of the Yanks at Vicksburge, the sacking of Jackson was a heavy blow on us but in some respects I do not regret it; in and around that place there was the most illiberal, narrow souled people in the Confederacy. Men who had more at stake than whole Regiments of some of their Countrymen, and yet would not allow a soldier to sleep in their stables nor hardly give him a drink of water. Such fellows, that Yankee raid will do a great deal of good and open their hearts amazingly.

In my last (mailed at Sparta) I requested you to pay to Mrs John W Baylor, Helena, Karnes co. Tex. $200 that I borrowed from him, I make this draft on you, concluding that at the high price paid for beeves, you must certainly have some of my funds in your hands, unless Marcellus has turned the stock loose. Lem is well with the exception of his cough which still hangs on to him, and he begins to believe it will terminate in the consumption if he dont go South this winter, which I have promised him to do if the war continues another winter. Baylor is going to hand this to Geo Holeman 4 to take home, who may throw it away when he reads its address.

With my love to Father, Mother, Mary 5 and all the children, old Tom 6 and all the people, I am affectionately yours,

George

Footnotes:
1. Henry Terrill—Co. F, from Fayette Co.
2. William B. Simpson—Co. F. He had lived on the plantation across the road from Oakland in Lavaca Co.
3. A. A. G.—Assistant Adjutant General.
4. Geo. Holeman—The nearest I can find to this name is J. H. Holman of Fayette County, in Co. F.
5. Mary (Reeves) Turner, wife of Marcellus, was living at Oakland at this time, with her four children.
6. old Tom—one of their slaves.

Turner, G. Q., "Batchelor-Turner Letters, 1861-1864," annotated by H. J. H. Rugeley. The Steck Company, Austin, TX 1961.