Fairbanks Papers Box 4 Document 43

Bishop's Place Miss. June 27 1862

G.R. Fairbanks Esq

My Dear Friend

Yr late letter was as heartily returned as you could reasonably have desired it to be. These disjointed times have so reduced the number of my correspondents that whereas I some time ago rather feared the arrival of my mail, I now feel no little pleased to see the handwriting of any friend. And I was the more thank ful for yr letter, inasmuch as it informed me of the health & safety of your family. In answer to yr kind enquiries about Bp. Otey I am glad to say that his health continues to improve, though not very rapidly. This diseaset - a local affective (of the urethra) and a very painful one, hadreduced him very low before he left Tennessee. After spending three weeks at [Cooper?] [?] without benefit, he was brought to my house, where he began to amend. He afterwards spent about three weeks with two old friends in Jackson

and then removed to another friend's residnce (Mrs Johnstone's) about sixteen miles North of this place. I have been much with him, and have twice vis ited him since his removal to the country. Every two or three days I hear from him, that he is still improving. He no longer keeps his bed or even his room, rides out twice a day, and has a pretty fair appetite. Mrs J's house is a palace, as well as a paradise, of a place. She has friends al ways around her, who serve to keep the Bishop in good spirits. Dr Quintard has been staying with him more than two weeks, and only left him (to return to Georgia) three days ago. The Rev Mr Harris is now with him. Dr Q fears that the Bp, even if he should recover entirely from this attack, will never be fitted again for any hard work. I am sorry to say that the Bps spirits are often much depressed. The condition of the Country preys upon his mind, and makes him at times, despair of our success. In better health I am sure he would have better hopes. Whilst writing about him I will deliver a message which he gave me for you, when I read yr letter

to him, on my last visit. After requesting me to thank you for your kind concern about his health he said "Tell Fairbanks that I left Memphis in haste; but that the day before I set out I directed the [Companys?] Agent to send on immediately to him the stores which I had got at his request"

I congratulate you on yr timely retreat from Sewanee. My indignation is kindled at the thought that that lovely and peaceful spot should have been polluted by the foot of the invader/ but I am glad to learn that our University papers are all safe.

I pite the condition ecclesiastically, as well as otherside, of your loved Florida. How long Mississippi will be in any better condition no one can tell. Vicksburg still holds out, notwithstanding the formidable fleet of Gun-boats, Mortar-boats and Transport that threaten her. There is not a propertyholder in the place, that would not sooner see his house a heap of ruins than tamely surrender as other places have done. We have scarcely one gun to oppose to their ten; but we will be prepared to oppose 20,000 men to their attempt to land. Unless I am much mistaken, some of the hardest fighting

of the whole war will be done and near that place. Mississippians are not given to surrendering or even retreating, especially when the eyes of their mothers and wives and sisters are upon them. It is not improbable that the attack is even now going on, as the sound of very distant cannon has been heard all the morning. We are 40 miles distant in a direct line.

We held our Convention, as usual. The attendance of Clergy was better than I expected. - that of the Laity small. You will see in the "Intelligencer" all that was of any interest in our proceedings.

I will keep a look-out in our Hospitals for the brother of yourself & Major Beard. When you write to them, tell them to come straight to my house, instead of going to a hospital, in case of them being either sick or wounded. I have not for some time, been without two or three disabled soldiers under my roof.

I must now conclude after begging to be remembered affectionately to yr good wife and my excellent friend Lt Major. May God bless each one of you. Believe me, very sincerely and with the highest regard.

Yr friend & brother in [?] W.M. Green

P.S. Br. Oty thanks you for yr invitation to come to [?]- [?], but thinks that he had better remain for the present where he is.