South bank Chattahoochee 16^th July '64.

 

My Dear Mother:

                        I was yesterday very much gratified to receive your letter of July 6^th, and also a supply of paper and ink. I have unfortunately lost my ink bottle. Could you not send me some small, convenient, tightly closing bottle? I would also like to have you send me a map of Georgia if you can procure one.

 

            We are still in our old position on the Chattahoochee, enjoying a season of rest and quiet, and as but little noteworthy occurs I shall discontinue my journal for the present. Already we are feeling much refreshed, and the abundance of fruit which we obtain here is rapidly causing to disappear premonitory symptoms of scurvy which had made their appearance. Every day a large number go out for berries and fruit, and we have an ample supply. Since last I wrote you other troops have joined us, and now several thousand are camped in this vicinity. The bridge across the river which is a solid struc- / ture being double track and double floor was completed in two days. Think of bridging the Muskingum in two days; and yet this river is about the width of the Muskingum. We are now so far off on the left flank that we hear very little from the main army; and we can place no reliance in the rumors that are constantly flying. Night before last we were visited with a severe thunder shower which although refreshing as purifying the air and laying the dust, was very destructive, to life. It is said that thirteen men were killed by lightning in this vicinity. Three were killed in a battery near us. How uncertain is life; how it behooves us all to be ready for death at any moment.

 

            Don't worry about me, mother. Trust me in God's hands. I find it very sweet to throw myself upon him, and I think that I have never enjoyed His presence more than I do here. What strange paths He sometimes leads us in. He is teaching me here an important lesson of simple, confiding trust. I send you a beautiful little hymn which I clipped from a paper a day or two since, which is very appropriate in this connection.

 

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Write often. Direct to Marietta. Send me a little paper every two or three weeks. My health is very good. William Pfeiffer is also well. We are all cheerful and in good spirits here. We The regiment has not been paid off, and I suppose will not be soon. I hear some talk that our reenlistment as veterans (that is us '62 men) is illegal. I do not know how much truth there is in it. I certainly care very little whether it was legal or not. If not legal we have but one year now to serve, and we have had a furlough and received fifty dollars. If legal I shall receive the bounty, and can stay as long as the Government needs me. If our enlistment was not legal the Government has a very loose way of doing things when its mustering officers make such mistakes. I most certainly shall not re-enlist now if I am not a veteran already.

 

            But probably the whole thing is mere rumor however.

                       

Your Son,

George.

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