Camp No 7 near Atlanta Ga August 17 1864

 

My Very Dear Wife

            [paper stain] received your letter written from Willoughby the next morning our division started out on a reconicence with the intention of reaching the Montgomery R.R. but the order was countermanded so we wandered through woods and over fields until dark on the right of our army when we returned to near our left in the morning and went to camp and to day for me was about as hard a one as I have had for this season I had a touch of the summer complaint and am but little better to day I have been worse than I am to day I am feeling comfortable but not very stout I have no appetite to eat and what I do eat dont appear to do me any good. The Army doctoring here in the field I conclude is a complete farce. all the medicine I have had has been prunes rubarb clover powder and wiskey for summer complaint, and that in doses three times as large as are given by our physician at home I have not taken half of what has been given me I got my watch pocket of my pants full of it  now The doctors do not think they can give us the medicine for the army regulations [?] I bought some dried beef [two lines faded away]/

 

Plague on the army but the greatest prayer [?] and I am trying write it and [?] like everything [?] I write Plague on the army the ink powder is about like the medicine of the army besides the commissary and all the red tape is almighty [?] if we did not care what we say if it was honorable [?] thing I believe I would shirk off and get back [?] where a sick man would fare better Well, what the use of looking at the dark side we went out to put down a wicked rebellion and when we started we did not think it would last all this time but it has and [?] to a long war. well till my time of service expires and I dont know but [?] it must and will be put down in the Lords own appointed way and time He knows what is for our good and how much we must suffer I feel thankful for such a sure trust

 

            I want some large needles what I have are all rusty and good for nothing

 

Now I hope I shall be better sattisfied with the army, for you see I am writing with a better kind of ink now this will last me till I can buy some more of some of these stationary peddlars this got of our Quarter Master so I must be careful and not tip it over or loose it out of my pocket

 

I think you had not better let othes read this letter I leave you to do as you think best /

 

Night before last a Sargent of Co K who was sick just like myself, (for we then received orders to move to another position), so the Surgeon gave us passes to stay over night with the wagons for they were ordered to stop untill morning so we two tented together for the night during the evening we did not feel in a very good frame for talking but I suppose we each had our own thoughts. at least I had mine my mind wandered upon many things a few will try to write Home you know My Dear Wife occupies, when I am not well, a large place I thought of the toast and butter some finely stept tea for medicine a decoction of Strawberry leaves a quiet lovely resting place for the weary painful body all these kindly made ready for my need by your careful hand then more than these your sweet kiss and most of all to hear you lift your voice in prayer to our Father of all Mercies, other thoughts I had than these that of near and dear friends the great means of grace such as family worship the social meeting the public service, the many opportunities we had of visiting friends and neighbors together and the many social priveleges we once enjoyed, which I hope may be enjoyed again if the Lord willing. Mags My Dear dont think or imagin that I was or am depressed in spirits by thinking and writing as I do, nor did I think on these things only to think favorable nor did I forget all but these for the precious word of his truth had a place and our / beautiful hymns I repeated to myself and out loud the hymn commencing            There is a land of pure delight

                                                Where saints immortal reign

 

yeas “a land of pure delight” not delight mixed with with the cares and sorrows of this world no wars there no strife and bloodshed there “Saints immortal reign”, there the “bloodwashed throng” are there “these are they that have come up through great tribulation” are there in “pure delight reigning in everlasting immortality how cheering the thought I feel thankful for these thoughts. home seems very near when such thoughts as these occupy the mind.        “My soul fresh courage take

                                        and press with vigor on”

 

There has been a late order ishued to the 23 Corps that three days rations are to last us five days which I hope will not last long for we did not have any too much before though we shall do better than though we would not have the opportunity of forageing a large forageing party went out to day bringing in green corn apples peaches and a few potatoes the prospects is that the 23 Corps will lay still a few days while the other part of the army make some important moves. we have rumors that rebel cav have tore up some RR and captured 1000 head of cattle there was sent north 1500 rebels that had been captured and gave themselves up with in the past week. The people north must exercise a great deal of patience about war matters. time will [?]          Your most affectionate

I make no corrections                                                             Husband

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