Head Quarters 2^nd Brig. 3^d Div 20^th Corps

Near Cassville, Georgia.

May 20^th 1864

           

My Dear Parients,

                      Through the kind Providence of God I am again permitted to write you. I have passed through another terrible battle and come out safe and unharmed while thousands were either killed or wounded You have doubtless read in the papers before this of our great battle and "Victory" complete. For the past 13 days we have been in hearing of cannon and musketry though not actualy engaged. our Brigade was engaged last sunday and the fought the Rebs famously But I must tell you before I go farther that I was detailed with E D Markham of our Co. for Provost / Guard at Brig H^d Q^rs so I have not been with the Regt but have seen them every day. last Saturday we lay in line of battle as reserve and were not engaged though a few were wounded from stray bullets and bursting shell. On Sunday however we were ordered in. We moved to the left where a rebel battery was placed and doing good service Our Division was ordered to charge and charge they did as far as I can hear they rushed up the hill in the face of a murderous fire drove the Rebs pell-mell from their guns and took the fortifications and four guns cannon.

 

            Early in the morning I was ordered to take three men and go back for rations for the guard so I was not there until the fight was nearly over. But I heard enough of the whistling bullets to remind me of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville

 

[margin]

 

Our Co had one man wounded Francis Dailey /

 

The next morning we were all up early to renew the fight But Johnny Reb was whipped and had sneaked off during the night leaving a large number of wounded and all his dead in our hands. We pressed on in persuit and I fancy done some tall marching Our cavalry advance was harrassing their rear every day. Last night our Regt and the 19^th Mich Vols same Brig charged through the town near where we now are and this morning fell back to where we now are. I was not with them (but I must tell the reason) ever since we left Lookout Valley I have been troubled with a violent diarrhea and loss of appetite which has made me very weak but I have kept up every day untill yesterday and as I had eaten scarcely anything for two days and twas so hot / I had to ride in an ambulance But our boys got plenty to eat in Cassville last night. The people many of them left their houses with supper cooked and on the table. They fled from the approach of the Yankee vandals and our boys ate their supper and brought off enough for one or two days. if I am only well I dont care how hard they march or how far early and late but when one is sick it comes hard. But I wont complain if it will help put down the Rebellion if I can get through alive is all I ask But I cant write more now. I have omitted many things. I could write enough for a small book if I had time I will try and write you every time I get a chance. We have not been allowed to write for the past ten days while the important moves are made and may not be allowed to write again soon. so you must not worry if you do not hear from me for a long time. /

                       

Supplement                                                                            

May 20^th/4

I like the appearance of the country here very much have seen some fine fields of wheat Dont believe what you hear about starving the Rebels out let a person see the fields of wheat and corn and sell the old corn that we have got to feed the horses and mules and see the sugar and molasses preserves and hams, bacon &c in private residences and then talk about starving them out its all nonsense. But the Rebel Army is terribly demoralized and whipped Deserters from their Army come in every day with flag of truce and give themselves up But they are a proud / people and hate to give up whipped I suppose they will make a stand at Atlanta as they have strong fortifications at that place. We hear rumors of a victory in Va Gen Grant whipping the Rebels but we have not seen a paper for a long time and dont know what is going on in the world beyond this Department Tell my friends whom I owe letters I will answer soon as I can I feel a little better today and shall be quite well in a few days I hope. But come what will I shall stand up long as possible. Write me often and dont wait for an answer. letters have come to us all the time but we were not allowed to answer. So good bye for this time do not be alarmed for me I shall try and do my duty and trust to him "who Doeth all things well"

 

[margins]

 

With much love to all I remain your aff son Henry

 

Please send me a little money I am entirely out Uncle Sam owes 52 dollars but dont pay

                                                                                                           

send me a dollar

SOURCES