On the Bank of the Chattahoochee R

 

                                                                        Dear Parents

I have ben sitting here thinking what to do, and I thought of no better thing to keep me out of mischief, then to write you a short letter. I have not had much time to write lately, for I have ben helping the Captin make out the pay Roles for July & Aug. which makes Eight months due us now. When they intend to give it to us I cannot tell we would like it I tell you if they would pay us they have ben paying some of the Gen^s & Staff and I think the men want it as much as they men do. The 20 Corps is haveing a very good thing of it now. they are left here to guard the Bridges, fords, and station / while the Remainder of the Army has gon to cut off the Macon R.R. and flank them out of Atlanta, if possible. We have fell back acrost the River and encamped on the Bank, as near it so we have a good Chance to wash, and keep clean; our Grub is very good here now.

 

We are going to get soft Bread now soon and that will make a softer thing of it. the Bakers are detailed out of our Regt.

 

            We Rec 14 Recruts from Boston last night, very good looking fellows, but I dont care about seeing any more, for they make a good deal of Extry duty, and truble for the old soldiers a good meny of them Runs away soon after they come come.

 

            I have not Rec any letter from you of late I Rec a Book from some of you the other day also a paper / with some pens in it, and was very glad to get them. I Expect a letter soon ma’by to night.

 

Morton Clough has not got back yet, but I Expect him Evry day now he has ben on the Road here for a long time.

 

            Write to me and tell how you get a long, and how meny Boarders you have got, and how your helth is &c. My helth was never better then at presant, but I have ben truboled very much of late with the tooth ach I had one pulled the other day and they feel better now. I dont think I’ll have meny teeth by the time I get home; but I dont Care I wont have hard tack to chew there. if you dont give me soft Bread I wont stop with you. I dont think of any more for the presant.

 

Love to all from your affect son J.L.B. /

 

P.S. I wish you would send me some Linen Thread, Black

                                                                                    J. L. Bryant

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