Near Atlanta, westerly side

July 30, 1864             

 

My Dear Sister:

                        In the morning we go on picket. The rebs. open a heavy gun, an 84 pounder upon us, and every few minutes sling us a shell. They burst with trememdous force, and their sound is very terrifying, causing us to hug the earth closely when we hear them coming. Fortunately no one was hurt by them. In the morning we are on the reserve post, but afterwards we go on the front line. Our Company gets in a place where there is little or no firing. Some Companies are more exposed. We lose 2 killed and three wounded in the Regiment.

 

July 31.                      

            In the morning are relieved from picket. The Sabbath passes unusually quietly. The rebels throw two or three shells in the morning, but otherwise there is / but little firing, even the pickets seeming to take a little respite from their continual clatter. Oh, when will the time come when not the sound of one hostile gun shall mar the peace of the Sabbath, and when in our Sanctuaries at home we may worship God in quiet, with none to "molest or make us afraid". I am weary of this continual strife and bloodshed; of the scenes of desolation; of the contact with vice to which one is constantly exposed here. Were it not for strength given me from above, I know not how I could endure it. But I find God's promise true: "As thy days are shall thy strength be". "Thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

            After reading an account of the battle of the 22^nd 20^th and knowing what I do of the fight of the 22^nd, I am impressed with the conviction that our victory on each occasion was due to the special interposition of God in our behalf. In each / case Napoleon's worldy maxim: "Providence favors the heaviest battallions", was falsified. For the strength of the rebel battallions was overwhelming in comparison with ours. God's blessing on the valor of our forces, and in connection with circumstances clearly providential is all that saved us from great disaster; in fact turned threatened imminent disaster into brilliant victory. Let us not forget to recognize God's hand in our behalf. The same force that fought Hooker on the 20^th assaulted us on the 22^nd.

 

            In the evening a large fire could be seen in Atlanta.

 

            Yesterday I received Jeru your letter of the 22^nd. Never have I read home letters with greater interest than now. I am sorry that you did not receive my journal from July 1^st to the 7^th for in addition to the account of our fight charge on the 4^th, it contained much else of interest. I hope you may yet receive it. In it I requested that you would send me a map of Georgia, also a little money, not / more however than a dollar. The stamps sent in your letter came safely to hand. I now have enough for the present.

 

August 1^st           

            Nothing of special interest has taken place up to this time. 2 P.M. The rebels have tossed a few shell at us none coming very near us however. I will send this to-day if there is opportunity.

                                               

Your Brother,

George.

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