Since my enlistment in April, I have spent long days with my new regiment, mostly drilling. I have learned to use my musket in the military fashion, following the orders of my sergeant and company officers. It has taken some getting used to this musket; it does not have a very good range and is not accurate. In that respect, I much prefer my personal hunting rifle. On the other hand, this musket is easier and quicker to load. I have heard that a few units received rifles which fire the new MiniT ball; they have the range of hunting rifles and are as easy to reload as muskets. Hopefully, we'll get them soon.
Congress has authorized the enlistment of another 400,000 volunteers, adding to the 100,000 of us who enlisted in March. These new men, however, must enlist for three years, rather than the one year for which we enlisted. We are now an army to be reckoned with in size, as well as Tlan. +lan will not do us much good, however, unless the government gives us the supplies we need! Each week we wonder if we will have enough food to last us the next seven days; some weeks we have come up short. We've all heard that food is rotting in warehouses throughout the Confederacy. Secretary of War Walker and Commissar General Northrup don't seem to care much about us soldiers; they are probably selling the food and other "missing" supplies for profit.
My father says that the family is doing well without me; the two male negroes we bought just last year are helping with the crops. My father tells me that I am more important to the family in the army, helping to defend our right to keep negroes. He worked hard all of his life to get to the point where he could afford two slaves; he is not about to give up these slaves a year after he bought them. I guess that is what I and thousands of other Southerners are fighting for: the protection of property rights earned with years of blood and sweat.
Ten days after the event, I am...