Camp 7^th Ill Mott Inf V.V.

Near Savanah, Ga. Dec 18^th/64.

 

My own loving Etta,

                        This is the first opportunity I have had to write to you since the 10^th of Nov. when we left Rome and now I can only write a few lines, for I expect evry minute to hear the beagle to saddle. But these few lines I know will be a great relief to you and a source of great pleasure to me. since Nov 14^th until yesterday eve we have heard no news except through rebel papers, which is not very reliable for they said all the time that Sherman was whipped and his army flying in evry direction through the country, which we knew was a lie, for we have encountered nothing worth mentioning except mud and watter until we reached this place 7 miles from Savanah. Here we find the enimy stronly fortified but few / in numbers. we have opened communication via fort McAllester and laid siege to Savanah. I think we will take it soon and without much fighting. last night the first steamer came up the river and brought the mail. it was greeted with cheers which came from the deepest recesses of the heart. Oh how I rejoiced when I saw in Co F mail two letters directed in your hand writing, they were the first I opened, and read them with emotions of joy, evry word seemed filled with love. Dear Etta I cannot find words to express my feelings now. But if we are spared until this cruel war is over then perhaps I can better prove my devotion to you. Oh may that time soon come. I am glad to hear that you have arrived in Jersey safe, and if my letters will help you enjoy your visit, it will not be my fault if they are wanting. I will write you a long one as soon as we get settled again. when that will be I cannot tell, for we are mounted again and have / a great deal of riding to do. I cannot say that I have suffered on this trip, though it has been pretty rough. our living has been chiefly off the country. we drew half rations untill several days ago when they gave out, and since then we have depended soley on the country. it yealds pleanty of sweet potatoes corn and molasses, the corn we grind at the mills and make mush we have also had pleanty of fresh meat and got along finely. Much better than some of the footmen, who have had the meal and potatoes dealt out to them, and in small quantities, minus the molasses. But I will give you a description of the march some other time. Another steamer has arrived with rations tonight we get hard tack. I am glad for I am tired of mush. I must quit now. excuse my scribling and other deficiencies for I feel old and in poor condition for writing and besides I have an inconvenient place to write /

 

So farewell dearest and rest assured that time cannot change my love. How often have I laid at night and wha watched the stars, thinking of my Etta, wondering if she was not watching the same star and thinking of her Soldier lover, what would I do dear Etta if deprived of that great source of happiness, those sweet thoughts of my dear one.

                                                                                   

I remain yours forever,

Henry.

 

P.S.

            Direct.

                        C^o F 7^th Ill. Inf. V.V.

                                    3^rd Brig^d 4^th Div.

                                                5 A.C.

                                                Savanah, Ga.

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