Near Kennesaw Mountain,

4 miles from Marietta, Georgia,

June 20, 1864.          

  

My Dear Sister:

                        Here I am at last with the Regiment at the "front". I arrived yesterday, on the train, at Big Shanty Station 3 miles back of here. Concerning the scenes of the trip from Decatur to this point I have no time to speak now. Suffice it to say that there are many things worth noticing, but as they will "keep" I will defer an account for the present. For several miles before we reached here the roar of artillery was distinctly audible. At times the firing was very rapid. I joined the Regiment as soon as I could find their whereabouts. In a few moments the orders came to advance, and we moved forward about 1½ miles into a line / of breastworks occupied by the rebs. the night before. The position now occupied by us and just evacuated by the rebs. is both naturally and artificially a very strong one, and well calculated to oppose our advance. But the rebs. have been driven from it. Why they did not make a more determined stand here I cannot conceive. Our position now is this: We are near the railroad and are facing Kennesaw Mountain which the rebels still hold. Everything is progressing very favorably here. The boys are all in excellent spirits and confident of success. A few moments ago some 300 prisoners passed us on their way to the rear. The roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry is incessant, although thus far to-day the firing was is not so heavy as it was yesterday. There was heavy firing along the whole line yesterday. Concerning results I know nothing definite. There are rumors however that Hooker has / gained decided advantages and has succeeded in cutting off a large portion of the rebels.

 

            This incessant rattle and roar seemed very strange to me at first but even in this short time I am becoming accustomed to it, so that I do not notice it near as much as at first. Thus far we have not been exposed to danger. The pickets are very near together, within talking distance, and it is amusing to hear their conversations sometimes. A night or two since some of our Regiment changed papers with them; procuring an Atlanta paper for a Northern one. It confirms the killing of Bishop General Pope.

 

            I received on returning to the Regiment only twenty-two letters that had accumulated in my absence. Your letters and mothers were all here. The money sent by mother was all safe.

 

            As I write I hear heavy firing on the right. This roar of artillery however / often has but little significance, and unless in a charge, artillery is not greatly to be feared.

 

            I feel a calm satisfaction in being with my Regiment again. I know that I am exposed to danger here; but I feel that I am in the path of duty, and that I can trust myself in God's hands, knowing that "He doth all things well".

 

            But I have time to write no more now, as the mail soon goes out. One thing however I must tell you. Upon my return yesterday one of our company a very intelligent man;—but one who had unfortunately imbibed infidel principles, came to me and grasping me by the hand said: "George, I have been wanting to see you. I have good news to tell you." Somewhat surprised by his manner I inquired what it was. He answered: "Since I saw you last I think I have become a Christian. An entire change has come over me. I know not how it has been brought about, but now I know that the Bible is true, for I have the evidence in my own heart." Never have I been more astonished in my life. I had thought him a confirmed infidel, and had often regretted that with his good mind he had imbibed such false principles. I greeted him warmly you may rest assured. He tells me that he thinks our little prayer meetings in Athens were the means of interesting him first. Such an incident here amidst the din and crash of armies is very refreshing. Truly God is good thus to bless us here, and it is another instance of the power of His Spirit to turn the hearts of men even under the most adverse circumstances.

 

            Please write immediately and direct to Fuller's Brigade, 16^th Army Corps, Ackworth, Georgia.

                       

With love,

Your aff. Bother,                                           

George.

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