Unknown Confederate Soldier - 3

 Unknown Confederate Soldier - 3

Monday, August 11, 1862
      Lord, You are a very present help in time of need! And I need you!
     Today, these men from my congregation and other men met together and became Company B - Lowndes Riflemen. We are all from Lowndes Country in Mississippi, but You already knew that. I know why they call the new recruits fresh fish. These men are farmers and squirrel and deer and turkey hunters. 
      As husbands and fathers, they, for the most part, are great. As soldiers they flop around like fish out of water. I thought at least one of my deacons, Jonah, would know his left foot from his right foot - but I thought wrong. I thought really wrong.
      Lord, I'm asking you for that letter to Ma and Pa to make it to Illinois and into their hands. With the supplies being low and the roads and trains being cut off to the North, it will take a miracle from You to get it there.
     I wonder about my brother, Jack. Lord, You know how good a shot he is, he's probably a sharpshooter by now. Father, keep him safe in this horrible war. I'm ready to meet You, but I don't think he is. Please, Lord, protect him and bring him back to his family, safely, without even a scratch. 
     I still don't understand why he married my girl. I was only gone a few months to finish my studies. I don't think I will ever love another woman like I did her. He could have had anybody, but courted her while I was gone. Lord, you know that. It feels like he courted her only because he knew how much I loved her.
      And Lord, one more thing before I go to sleep. You know I was given the strangest orders today when I was given my  meager supplies. Glad I brought my pig-sticker knife that Pa's Pa gave me. He gave one exactly like it to Jack, too. 
     It's way too hot to sleep under that wool blanket tonight, but the mosquitoes are swarming. I will have to choose between being eaten alive or sweating myself totally wet.
     About those orders - Col. William M. Moore has ordered me to go, by foot, to retrieve an African camel that Lieutenant Hargrove gave him. It'll take at least a day of walking, if not two, to even get there and then the camel and his handler are to head north to Iuka. Apparently, the battle over at Corinth was pretty bad,and the troops are going to reorganize at Iuka. Col.Moore said he couldn't spare any gun bearing men to go fetch that camel. 

Be blessed in The Name above every name, Jesus! I know I am!
Linda L Culbreth