this will leave to morrow the 24 of June

 

Battalfield Near Marietta Ga

June 23 64

                       

Dear and effectionate Wife

            as your letter of the 12 June came to hand to day and having time to write I thought I would answer yours I received your letter gladly it was a welcom visitor I am happy to get a letter from you at any time it does a soldier good to hear from his friends at least it does me at a time like this we have been having a long campaign and cannot tell when it will be over we have been having some warm times but are progressing and driving the rebs before us they have a strong position they have fortifycations on 2 high hills so you see they have the advantage but Sherman is flanking them and coming on their works endways so they have to leave our Brigad charged on and held them that day our devision fired / 16 wagon loads of ammunition of 20 000 rounds in each load in all would be 320 000 rounds. they kept up a heavy fire on the rebs works in front of them they had a heavy fortifycation and 2 batterys bearing on us but they could not use them it would be instant death for them to raise their heads above their works the ground was covered with lead the Johneys could not stand the fire so they left under cover of the night and by the means saved their lives also of us for if they had not left there would have been some hot work the army is in fine spirits we have plenty to eat and wear Sherman provides well for his boys also has the confidance of his boys there has been 8 wounded in our regt since I last wrote to you 2 from our company Lieut Cummins and Wat Trago slightly but bad enough to lay them up for some time the health is generaly good you spoke about Ezra Eckis being kiled which is the case was kiled in a charge at the Battal of good hope Church near Dallas Woods Devision sufferd heavily at that time there was conciderable / grumbling but donot know as he was to blame for it for he has to obey orders also some places is more dangerous to charge on than others but it cannot be expected but what men will be kiled at such times our brigad is on reserve at present but have been in front for the last 5 or 6 days I will be glad when this strugle will be over I hope that your health will improve rapadly for Dear Let I have no wish that you should suffer eather in body or mind for I know the cause of it and if it was in my power to change it I would but hope for the better and that your health may recover rapidley I know if I was with you I would feal different but such is not the case but live in hopes of some day returning home and sojourn with you we have had plenty of rain here but yesterday and to day it has mised raining but I think it will before night so we will be all right yet but I must close this poor scribling remember me to your Folks I am yours effection Husband                     

F Ashley

 

[verso]

 

June 25

            all well

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