111                                 HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

           Before leaving Lafayette, all those who were not able to march were sent here on the cars. But there was a terrible accident happened them when near Germantown, about fifteen miles from here. The cars ran off the track, killing six and wounding seventy-five out of the Division. Six or seven of our company were among them, but they all escaped unhurt, I believe, excepting B. F. Bailey, who was slightly bruised on the nose and back of the head. The cause was said to be carelessness on the part of the engineer. He didn't want to take them at all, but General Logan sent down a company armed and gave them orders to fire into the train if they moved without taking his sick on board. Logan was commander of the post; and he was bound to make them live up to his orders. He is just the man for a General; there is no discount on him.

           The long looked for Paymaster has at last made his appearance among us. He didn't do much good, though, as he only gave us two months' pay, up to the 31st of August. Of course the new recruits got no pay at all. But the Paymaster said it was the intention, in twenty days to pay this Department the remaining four months pay that is due them, which we sincerely hope is true.

           From appearances I don't believe there will be much of it sent home this time, as Memphis affords so many opportunities for spending money. And as the boys have seen some pretty hard times lately, they appear as though they would like a change of diet. But the principal diet with some is whisky, which is very abundant in town; and it seems they are determined to have it, regardless of cost and consequences. A good many have been spreeing ever since we come here. It is getting too common, and they are taking means to stop it. We have camp guards on, and only two persons are allowed to pass out at a time, and then only for two hours: the passes to be approved at regimental and Brigade headquarters. We have five roll calls a day, and all those who are absent without leave are taken to headquarters and punished. To-day they are engaged in building a guard-house. Every day our camp is filled with women and boys peddling apples, cakes, pies, etc., and as the boys are all "flush," it don't take long to empty their baskets.

           Business appears to be as brisk in Memphis, as though no war was going on. It puts one in mind of Columbus or Cincinnati. It contains large and splendid business houses, together with dwellings as nice as any one could wish for. And oh! the pretty women! It does one's soul good to view their lovely features in passing along through the town, after being out of sight of them for so long.

           As usual, it is raining to-day. Most of the regiment went over to town this morning in charge of the commissioned officers to see the city of Memphis and the raging Mississippi.

Yours truly,

                                                  TYPO.

CAMP NEAR MEMPHIS, TENN., February 10, 1863.

           MR. EDITOR: — The Seventy-Eighth is still alive and on duty, with plenty of rumors afloat as to our leaving here for the expedition at Vicksburg. But as there are so many, it is hard to put any confidence in them.

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