Dear [inkblot, paper hole]

 

The enemy encompass my train on every side. The shells are bursting over me & my train, but like lightning we rush on. I stand betwene the B[?] expecting evry moment to be my last. We come to the Ogeechee River & bridge, we are informed the [?] are cut & it is death to cross. The two soldiers appointed as my guard jump off the train & take to the swamp. The engineer says Lieut Nichols what shall I do. I replied, back 100 yards and risk getting over, better that we go down, than be captured. All right, if you are ready to die for the cause / so am I.—We went safely acrost—

 

Not like a lamb to slaughter led

But with the lions monarch tread

Thou camest to thy battle bed

My Rebel home Savannah

                                               

Geo T Nichols

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