Davis reports to his wife his health status and that of his brother William and his friend Burnett. He says that General Thomas has announced that they will raise two African American regiments at Lake Providence and several of Davis's friends applied to be officers in these regiments. Davis did not, thinking that there were enough African Americans in the area to raise full regiments. General Thomas also said that the African Americans who will not be soldiers will be moved to the evacuated plantations and allowed to cultivate them to support themselves. Davis received four months pay and is sending money via express along with several of his friends from home. He is sending ten dollars more in this letter. His regiment has kept busy drilling and guarding, and he has no important news to impart.
Read
