I would like to have you send me a pocket map of Georgia, if you can procure one.

 

Friday 1^st July

Dear Mother:

                        The day passes very quietly until about 6 P.M. At that time there comes an order for the artillery to make a demonstration, to create a diversion in favor of Gen. Schofield, it is said, who is making a flank movement. Our artillery opens, and about 40 cannon belch forth a storm of iron hail upon the sides of the mountain. Shells are seen bursting everywhere, and at times the roar of cannon is terrific. Never have I heard such a cannonading before. Sometimes it a dozen cannon will be fired at once, and the thickly flying shell must render that mountain anything but comfortable. Imagine twenty heavy thunder storms concentrated in one. Perhaps then you will have some idea of the roar. Not a rebel gun answers us. In fact our artillery is so nu- / merous and so well manned that no rebel battery can live there for any length of time. Besides they have too much use for their artillery elsewhere.

 

            Let me try to give you some idea of our position. Come with me to a little elevation about 50 yards in the rear of our rifle pits. We are now on an elevation about 1/3 the height of Kenesaw. The distance to the summit in an air line is about three fourths of a mile. The mountain now lies spread out before us like a map. Here we are, face to face as it were with the rebels. We can plainly see them moving about here and there, and equally well can they observe us. The mountain is mostly covered with woods, but there are many open spots. The summit is bald, and upon the top of it there has been a rebel fort, from which they have not fired however for several days. Toward the right from the summit the crest goes down in a gentle slope to a gorge. Beyond this gorge it rises / again, though not so high as before. Upon the summit of this raise there is another rebel fort from which they have done most of their firing. Along the whole crest of the mountain stretches their earthworks. I will try to give you a little idea of the position by a rude diagram:

                                    Rebel Fort                   Gorge              Rebel Fort

                        Valley

64^th      18^th Missouri   39^th      27^th

Batteries                      Our battery                  Batteries          Batteries

 

            The battery in our rear is one of eight guns, and fires directly over our heads. It is on the elevation on which you are now supposed to stand. About one third of the way up the mountain are our pickets. The rebel camps of course are on the other side of the hill. We cluster together as much as we please, but they dare not do so or a shell will be sent after them. It must be real aggravating for them to look down upon us here, with- / being able to injure us. Occasionally they double charge their rifles and send us down a few balls, but our boys take it very coolly, and they have not hit any one yet that I know of. Perhaps a crowd will be clustered together, when a ball will strike near them. The boys do not move, and perhaps some one coolly remarks, "Pretty close, Johnny", if it comes near him. They The reb. sees no commotion in the crowd and doesn't know whether he has come anywhere near his mark or not. If they should all scatter, he would see the effect of his shot and thenceforth continue to annoy them. But enough about the position. That bullet which whistled past me just now warns me that a sharpshooter has his eye on me and it would be advisable to shift from here.

 

Saturday 2^nd                       

            Day passes unusually quietly. In the evening we have orders to be in readiness to move; some to be going to the right of our line. I should not be surprised if the rebels should also move to-night.

 

Sunday 3^rd                           

The morning opens very quietly. What means this strange silence? The cheers of our skirmishers far up the mountain assure us that the rebels are gone. Soon the summit is gained and the star spangled banner floats triumphantly from the rebel stronghold. I climb the mountain. I expected to have a good view of the surrounding country, but I was not prepared for the magnificent scene that burst upon my vision. Never before have I seen such a beautiful scene. For 20 or 25 miles in every direction the country lies spread out before you. On the South side lies Marietta, embowered amongst the trees. Far off to the south east rises a single mountain high above the country round about it, looking like a lost lost peak. The country from the foot of the mountain gradually rises until afar in the distance they it seems to blend in a high range the with the blue sky. A fog hangs over part of the valley. The morning rays of the sun shining upon this fog bank caused it to shine like a huge, shifting mass of silver. This fog obscured the view considerably. Otherwise I think they we could have seen the spires of Atlanta. But I have no time to describe this magnificent scene farther now. From this hill they could see the movements of a large portion of our army. /

The evidences of the destructiveness of our shell were visible on every hand. Trees were cut down and the ground torn up in every direction. Fragments of shell lay thick in and around their rifle pits. They must have suffered severely. The mountain is steep and in some places quite rocky. If we had charged it as we once talked of we could have taken the rebel works but would have lost fearfully. Thank Heaven the necessity of charging was obviated. Immediately the 15^th Corps starts in pursuit of the enemy, and about 9 o'clock we started for the right. We marched about 12 miles. The day was very warm and the march was tiresome.

 

July 4^th.                      

            The anniversary of our National Independence.

Something will probably be done to-day. God grant victory to our arms is my prayer. As Thou hast aided our forefathers to gain independence, so now aid us in preserving the Government formed by their hands.—About 7 A.M. we move out. Advance about 2 miles passing other Divisions and going to the extreme front. Form a line of battle and advance. Soon we come to an open field. On one side are our skirmishers, on the other there are the rebels. The balls begin to whistle about us. Our skirmishers do not advance, but our line of battle does. We sweep down across the field, and the rebel skirmishers flee before us. We have one man killed in crossing the field. Straighten up our line and lie down in the woods. Skirmishers are sent out ahead, who soon begin a brisk firing. The rebel balls whistle over our heads and drop around / us. Finally the rebs. are driven to their rifle pits. Now comes the question "Can we take them?" Our officers think so, and everything is got in readiness for a charge For some reason it is delayed, and finally the idea is said to be given up. But about 5 o'clock comes the word that we are to make the attempt. The rebel works are about 300 yards distant. For about 75 or 100 yards there is a little ravine of woods and thick underbrush. Beyond this the underbrush has been cut down for about 40 yards to impede our progress. After that there is an open field for about 100 or 150 yards. The ground rises in a gently sloping hill, and upon top of it are the rebel rifle pits. The decisive hour draws near. I commit myself to the hands of God. I implore His blessing on our cause. I ask preparation for whatever may befall me. I have felt a considerable agitation during the day, but a sweet peace fills my mind as the decisive hour draws near. We receive instructions from the Colonel. We are to cheer at the top of our voice when we reach the opening, advance double quick, and reserve our fire / until we get to the breastworks. Everything is ready. The bugle sounds the advance. We move forward quickly, and soon reach the opening. A shower of balls greets us. On we sweep, with a terrible yell, stopping not for the leaden storm. My foot ketches in the brush and down I go. Springing to my feet again I hasten onward. Again my foot is tangled in a bunch of briars, and I am thrown with a good deal of force. Pausing a moment to recover my breath forward I go again. By this time many of our boys have reached the rebel works, and pour a fire into the rapidly retreating rebs. I arrive in time to fire two shots. Thank God! The works are ours, and I have escaped unharmed. But alas with our rejoicing is mingled with sorrow. Four in our Company have fallen; none are killed however. John Stewart, my messmate and best friend here, has fallen. He was at my side in ranks also. A ball struck him near his shoulder blade, and passed just over his back bone and came out upon the other side. His wound is severe, but not mortal. 

 

July 5^th                 

            About 1 P.M. we take up our line of march and move about 5 or 6 miles going on another road, farther to the right. At Kenesaw we were on the Left Center of our army. now McPherson's command is in its old place the right flank. McPherson's command is the 15^th, 16^th and 17^th Corps. At present we are in the rear, and it seemed really a relief to lie down and sleep feeling no apprehension of danger. Everything progresses favorably for our cause. Sherman moves his army cautiously but steadily, and avoids throwing them rashly upon the strong works that Johnson continually opposes to him, compelling him to leave them very often by flank movements. This is very discouraging to the rebel soldiers, and a steady stream of deserters pour into our lines at every advance of our forces. Thus Johnson's forces are being steadily depleted. It is astonishing to behold the lines of earthworks that now cover Northern Georgia. Often they are many miles in extent. Advancing along a road sometimes you will see a dozen different lines within four or five miles. We fight Woe as much as the rebels with pick and spade.

 

            Woe be unto the country that lies in the track of an army. Everything is laid waste. Corn fields are turned into grazing fields for horses, cattle and mules, fences disappear, barns and houses are torn down or used for headquarters or hospitals.

 

            I hope there may be an opportunity to send mail soon, for I know you will be anxious to hear from me. I will mail this at the first opportunity. I received to-day your letter of June 15 written to me at Decatur and containing postage stamps.

 

6^th July.                      

            Lie quietly in camp until about 1 o'clock. Then move forward about 1½ miles, and bivouac again. At night, just as we are laying down with a prospect of a good night's sleep comes the order: Get ready for picket. Such is military life here. We know not that we will remain in any place for an hour.

 

7^th July.                      

            About 2 P.M. move forward again about 2 miles. We are now about 1 mile from the Chattahoochee. A part of the rebel force is on this side, part on the other. At one point our lines reach to the river. There are other toops in the front line ahead of us.

 

            Perhaps you would like to know how we fare here. Well then, considering our circumstances, we are fed well. The army is well provisioned. We have fresh beef about three times a week, and good beef too, good pork and bacon the rest of the time plenty of crackers, and fair rations of sugar and coffee, and small rations of beans. Soap is the scarcest article that we have. It is difficult to get enough to keep ourselves passably clean. Occasionally we have an opportunity to procure a little extra rations, in the shape of berries, apples, and grapes which we stew up into sauce. Blackberries and huckleberries are both found here.—As for clothing, although we have not a very bountiful supply yet we are able to draw enough to supply those really destitute. Great credit is due to the chief quartermasters of the army for their promptness in forwarding supplies.

 

            I received your letter written to me at Decatur to-day. Now that we are so far off the railroad we do not have so good an opportunity to either send or receive mail.

 

8^th July.                      

            We lay quietly in the woods all day. A cessation of firing is agreed upon between our pickets and the Johnnies, and the latter and our boys cross the river to each other, and trade and talk together.

 

            I am being taught here the lesson of faith as I never have been taught it before. If I lose sight of the fact that I am under God's care, I speedily / feel an uneasiness and disquiet when I think of the circumstances that surround me. But trusting Him implicitly I find my soul filled with peace. I would not exchange my confidence in God for the whole world

 

July 9^th.                      

            We have finished our breakfast and are quietly lounging around dreaming not of a move, when the order comes: Pack up immediately. In a short time we were on the road. The report is that we are going back to Marietta, a distance of 16 miles. The day is exceedingly warm the roads are dusty, and the march is very fatiguing. Covered with dust, sweating at every pore, one feels inclined to exclaim, altering the language of one of Shakespeare's characters a little, "O, my country! how I sweat for thee." As usual in many places, scarred and broken trees give evidence of conflict. In one place especially the trees were literally mowed down by cannon, whilst their trunks were filled with musket balls. In the trunk of one single old dead tree I counted six cannon shot. We passed a few houses, but they were nearly all deserted. Marietta is a beautiful little place of perhaps 2000 or 3000 inhabitants in past times. It has been a place of wealth and refinement, as elegant mansions and finely laid off grounds testify. The place is almost deserted by the inhabitants. There are a few women and children left, but I only saw one man. In Hospital here I found John Stewart. I was glad that his wound was healing. He was in excellent spirits. The town is largely occupied for hospital purposes. The rebels formerly used it for the same purpose, and hundreds of graves testify that the mortality was large amongst them. We move about 1 mile from town and camp. It is said that we are to move forward to-morrow and cross the river. 

 

10^th July.                    

            Early in the morning the advance leaves camp, but as we are behind a wagon train it is 10 o'clock before we get under way. Then we move slowly, stopping every few moments. A heavy thunder storm soon settles the dust, in fact converts it into mud. We are grateful however for the shower, and take our wetting very cheerfully. In the hilly country we are traversing the water rushes down into the vallies in torrents. Rivulets are swollen to small streams; small streams to foaming torrents. We plunge across them, and it is really amusing to see the cheerfulness and hilarity of the boys as they wade through the water. About dark we reach the Chattahoochee. It is a rapid stream about the size of the Muskingum. It is fordable at this point, and our troops waded it. We arrive a little too late to undertake the job to-night. We are now about 12 or 13 miles south east of Mari- / etta, and about a mile or two from a little place called Rosswell. We passed through a pretty good country to-day, and the houses were not deserted. Passed several fine corn fields. Our train will speedily clean out these however.

 

11^th July.                    

            Dear Sister: Your letter was received this morning. I was glad to hear from home again as I had received no letter for several. The Examiner containing stamped envelopes came to hand also. I received no paper however. We are still on the North bank of the river, although our forces are mostly on the other side. Probably we shall cross on a pontoon. I hope to have an opportunity to send mail this morning. Am in good health.

 

            Write often,

                       

Your Brother,

           

William Pfeiffer is well.

           

P.S.—We are now in position on the south side of the Chattahoochee. No enemy in our immediate front.

 

South Bank Chattahoochee, 12 miles

South East Marietta, Georgia.

 

July 11, 1864.            

            In the morning move our quarters to the south bank of the Chattahoochee. There was a stationary bridge over the river at this point, but the rebels burned it, vainly thinking to thus stop our advance, but our boys plunged into the river and waded it. Before our Regiment came up a foot bridge was completed, and we were not obliged to wade it. There were several extensive manufactories on the river bank and at a little town named Roswell about 2 miles from here, which we burned. After getting into position on the south side the river we set to work and dig rifle pits, so as to be prepared for an emergency, although no enemy is in our immediate front.

 

July 12.                      

            A day of comparative rest and quiet. We are pleasantly bivouacked in the woods, and good water is abundant, as indeed it is everywhere in Georgia. We find cool springs every in every place we go. The land too is rolling and high, and these two facts combined render it an exceedingly healthy climate. I will venture the assertion that never before has in this war has so large an army, performing so much fatiguing labor and enduring so much exposure, had so small a number of sick.—Work is begun on a bridge over the river.

 

July 13.                      

            Another day of rest. It is really refreshing to be permitted to lie down in quiet, without the sound of musketry and cannon.—We find blackberries and apples in plenty, and feast on the stewed / fruit. I find more apples in Georgia than I have ever seen in the South. Peaches however seem less plenty. Georgia, in its soil and general features bears a strong resemblance to Ohio. I confess that I like the country.—The work on the bridge is pushed forward rapidly. In a day or two it will be completed.—We are ordered to clean up camp. Matters look as though it was intended to give us a few days rest. We have learned however to trust very little to appearances.

 

July 14.                      

            My Dear Mother: This morning I shall send this letter if opportunity offers, as I suppose it will. I would like to have you and Jerusha write always as promptly as possible, as letters are so long going that it seems a long time before I receive answer. I would like to have you send me a little money; not much, say 50 cents or so. I have not much use for money here, but I like to buy a newspaper occasionally. I have been compelled to buy paper and envelopes which has used up my funds nearly. I also have bought stamps. At one time I had only one sheet of paper and two stamps left, and knew not where I could procure any; but as we passed through Marietta I procured some there. I have plenty of stamps for the present now. I presume you have sent paper but it has not reached me yet.

 

            My health continues good.

                       

Your aff. Son,

George.

SOURCES