Camp 7^th Ill. Inf. Vet. Vol.

Rome, Ga. Sept 4^th/64.

           

My own Dear Etta,

                                    It is some time now since I have written to you and a long time since I rec^d a letter from you, at least it seems so to me. Your last was dated Aug^st 11^th. I wrote shortly after receiving it. My letter was rather a harsh one, I dont know why I wrote that way to you, unless it was that you was the first person I wrote to after hearing the news I did, and it worked upon my feellings in such a way that I could not help expressing them. But I am glad to hear it contradicted and that the Bushwackers are not near so bad as they were at first represented. One of the letters sent to the company caused a great deal of excitement, but it has subsided now and we are all in a good humor once more, so I hope to give you a more interesting letter than I did the last time. We have just rec^d some very encouraging news, which if true furnishes a strong evidence that the war will soon be over and we will meet again. It is that Atlanta has fallen, with a large number of prisoners, into our hands. the reble army is in full retreat farther south and deserting by hundreds. Gov Brown of Ga has called home the troops / from his state which compose a large part of their Army. Fort Morgan has surrendered leaving Mobile at the mercy of Com^d Faragut and his powerfull Fleet, and Grant is throwing shells into Petersburg which I do not doubt. If all or even half this news is true we have a great reason for rejoicing, and great cause for thankfullness toward him who turns our battles. I was a little surprised the other day. A few of us were discusing the probability of Lincolns reelection, and some one expressed a fear that it would fail, when one of the wickedest men aparently in the company rebuked him by saying that he had taken notice of evry battle and was convinced that it was not the army with the greatest number of men and guns, or in other words the stronger army that always gained the day, but it was that army which had the favor of the Almighty, and he had showed himself in our favor all along he did not think he was going to desert us this late in the day and if the copperheads outnumbered union men two to one he would still believe that by some croock or other old Abe would get it. he spoke very earnestly and I could not help feeling the truth of what he said. But it surprised me to hear one who never read the bible, reviled religion publicly, and made light of Gods holy word, expressing such faith in the power and goodness of the Almighty, and such a willingness to leave results to him. /

 

If we all had the same faith at all times it would save us much anxiety and trouble, would be a source of happiness to us insted of misery caused by doubts and fears, and we could always be contented with our portion, believing it to be for just and fair. But we have it not, we are not willing to trust the lord in evry thing. Our faith is weak, and although we profess to love him we do not confide in him as we should. Our love is small after all considering the great and many reasons we have for loving him, for if we loved him as we should we would always be willing to trust in him, and could say from the bottom of our hearts thy will not mine be done. We may say that often but do we always feel it? If we look down deep into our hearts we find that we are not always willing to abide by his will. How often we are dissatisfied at many things he does which are not in acordance with our wishes, and grumble at our fate, or pine and greve over our misfortune and wonder why it could not have been as we wished. We do not consider that it is the lords will. Oh that we could love him more and serve him better than we do. That we could allways put our trust in him and believe that for all he does he has some great and wise end in view, although we cannot see it. That we could at all times bow submissively to his holy will without a murmur or complaint. /

 

Dear Etta, I think I can begin to see through the dark cloud that has apparently envelloped us and can see a light ahead, a clear bright light which will soon shine uppon us, in all its lusture and brilliancy. I look foward with high hopes and bright anticipations to the end of this war, which I think is not very far distant. reble deserters are swarming into this place evry day and if the news we get is true they are flocking in at other places also by scores. they say the reble army is gone up, the soldiers are disheartened. those who came in here left the army before they evacuated Atlanta and comenced another retreat south. they say that if the army leaves Atlanta half of them will desert. fifteen with a Captain has come in since I commenced to write and brought their arms. they think they have fought long enough. I think Dear Etta that in one year from now if not sooner I shall if I am spared be permitted to meet you and tell you with my lips how much I love you. My light is nearly out and I shall have to quit. since I have been writing the mail has come in and brought me some valuable books that I sent for, but did not bring a letter from you, and I was disapointed. I cant write any more for want of candle

                                               

Remain yours Dear Etta untill death

Henry.

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