In the intrenchments before Atlanta. August 7 1864

           

My Dear Parients,

                Yours of the 25^th July I recieved this morning with the velvet. I sent you a letter about a week ago. then we were on the right of the Army now we are in the front line of works in the center. We have had no real fighting yet we are constantly under fire. We are where the rebs can throw shell and bullets into our camp. We have our tents along behind the brestworks and when the shelling begins scramble out into the works. The boys have been under fire so long they do not care about minnie balls. The pickets are but a short distance in front and are firing at each other continually night and day the balls now and then zip and whistle over our heads or strike in the ground in front of us but we have got so used to them that we dont mind them. Sergt Platt of Co. C. was killed yesterday by one of those stray bullets while sitting in this tent. Truly "In the midst of life we are in death". We know not when we lie / down at night whether we will get up alive and well again. I sleep so sound nights that nothing but the sharp fire of musketry or rapid artillery firing will awaken me. A few nights since a heavy 20 pdr. Rifle Parrot gun a little on left was throwing shell all night and the pickets were banging away but in spite of all I had a good nights rest. Men (and boys too) will get used to most anything. We are gradually drawing nearer this city. We will have it by and by if the Rebs dont get reenforcements. Hen Goodrich is with us now so I have a tentmate again. He looks well and a great deal whiter than we but will soon get tanned for the sun is terrible hot. No signs of the paymaster yet. so you will please send me a little money when conveniant. We have to pay 20¢ per lb for sugar if we buy any and what we draw from US in 3 days will not sweeten more than two cups of coffee With money and an order from one of our officers which we can get any time we can buy sugar ham &c at the Commissary at government prices. So you see money is every thing to us. Our rations are not such as we would get if we were in camp. We sleep with our clothes and shoes on, gun loaded and by our side with cartrige box and equipments ready to jump up and fight at any moment. So you see our style of

 

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life is not very pleasant. Tell John Q G how we live and tell him to write and not wait for an answer Nothing does us so much good as letters from home and friends so tell them all to write

 

Write soon and send me some money if conveniant. if we ever get paid I will try and send some money home at the end of this month I shall have $134 due me

I suppose you are all at church now and all is still and quiet. While here I sit behind a brestwork of logs and dirt while the pickets rifles are cracking and banging away down in the woods in front of me

 

I shall expect Fannies and Doras picture soon

 

I will write again soon as I get time write as often as you can. Your affectionate Son

Henry

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