Camp in the field       

near Adairsville Geo

May 20/64      

 

Dear and effectionate Wife

having time to write a fiew words this morning I will do so your letter of the 12 May came to last night was glad to hear from you my health is good at the present but some tired we are giving the rebs all they want have drove them about 60 miles fighting every day some fought about 3 hours last night made the rebs scdadle we are traveling in a good country at the present it is warm and dry & dusty I think that we will come off victorious 2 mounths more think will close the hard strugle at least all is working hard for it and I think / it is playing fast and I donot think they will be any sorry about it tell Sarrah that I simpathise with her but I think James will be alright yet but I should not be surprised if some of them would see some fighting yet but I must hasten for I think that we will soon moove give my best wishes to Father Mother Sister no more but remain your ever faithfull Husband

Frank Ashley

 

            afternoon moove camp near a mill pond wash ourselves and clothes donot know how long will stay here probably moove before night for we never was known to lay any length of time unless in the face of the enemy but a rest comes good I tell you for we have been on the road since the 3^rd of this mounth but we are able to stand it we run the rebs / some days that they could not march any farther and then would fight 2 or 3 hours but they retreat in good order but we have captured a good many prisnors and had 2 heavy battals one near Dalton the other near Resaca. the one near Dalton we lost 74 men kiled and wounded and one taken prisnor Eli Whitney but I found him the day we left the rebs had him but his wound was so bad that he could not be mooved therefore he was left in the woods and was taken to an old citizins house was taken care of as well as could be look for but his wound was not dresed from the time it was done till it was to late to do him any good also one of my intimate friends was shot at Resaca while trying to find Colonel Harker who was reported wounded there was 4 of them and 2 was wounded / the other 2 escaped alright one General was kiled at the same time but there will be a warm time before 6 weeks more passes away there will be a fatal blow struck to the southern confederacy all the old troops are at the front and 25,000 more are on their way from Cairo to this place

 

Dear Wife I have not forgoten thy charms nor thy good company that I was permitted to enjoy the short time that I was at home I think I know how to appreciate the love from such a friend as you and hope soon to enjoy thy society soon again my love for you is the same as ever I am your

Dear Husband

Frank

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