To Mrs. Lyon.
Fort Henry, Nov. 26, 1862.—We have had no mails for several days. The last mail brought one letter from you. It bears date of August 16th, redirected and forwarded by Bartlett from Corinth. The uncertainty of mails is very annoying.
I write today, as I am detailed to act as President of a general Court-Martial which convenes here tomorrow, and I shall probably not have any leisure again for a few days. Our Major, Bigney, has just joined us, and relieves me from some duty. He is very much of a gentleman, besides being a good officer.
I showed my black folks all of your pictures today. Jerry was much taken with Willie, saying: ‘He will make a bully man if nothing happens.’ They are faithful, excellent people, but they put on some airs because they wait on the Colonel. Minerva is now cooking for some officers who live with the Lieutenant-Colonel when he is here. She is in a great hurry for you to come, so that she can get out of that arrangement and wait on you. I am going to build a log house in the rear of my tent for them to live and cook in.
We have battalion drill every afternoon, but tomorrow being Thanksgiving Day at home I give the boys a holiday. I should be happy to eat fried oysters with you on the occasion, but I suppose I shall be obliged to go on with the Court-Martial.
