Battery. A. 1^st Mich Arty

                                                                                    Fort Creighton Chattanooga Tenn

                                                                                                            Oct 17^th 1864

 

Friends            Adeline & Laura

                                                            Although it has ben a long time Since I promised you that I would write you a letter, I at this late hour, will try and fullfill my promis.

 

I wrote a letter a long time Since to _________ well I wont make any mention of it—My health is very good considering what it has ben all the fore part of the summer.

 

we have ben haveing some rather exciting times here for a few days but as I wrote to Hack all the particulars he probaley will tell you. all is quiet yet to day but we are expecting an attack^t here at any moment but whether they (the enemy) will try to take / this place or not cant tell. We would rather fight them here, than to go out of our fortifications to fight them. we are very strongley fortified, and could fight ten times our numbers and hold the place. but of course we should have to loose a greate many men I tell you My Dear Friends the horrors of these battles are beond discription and the more I see of them the worse I dred them, and I have hoped that I should not have to be in any more, but the prospects are different at presant. therefore I shall have to stand my chances with the rest, and if it be my lot to fall, I will fall in defence of my noble country, and let that be the consolation of my many dear Friends. but I hope for better luck. I want to live to see my little family again and all of those dear friends that I have spent so many / pleasant hours with. I have hopes that I shall yet get back and injoy the society of my old & former friends. I often think of the times that I have ben at your House and of the stories I used to tell of old Dickie &c&c

 

well I have almost a mind to quit writing; for I cant write any thing to day that will interest any one I fear. however I will try and fill this sheet up. & I will promis you that if you answer this I will do better next time. Hack writes me that a good many have run away out of your town, for fear of being drafted. I think that sutch men ought to be dispised by every one. Men that wont stand by their country in the hour of need, ought not to be protected by that country I would rather a friend of mine would die upon the battle field as my poor / Brother did than to desert it in times like these, but I think that we have got true and loyal men enough yet to save our country. I think that our prospects brighten every day, and if the people will onley stand firm now that the greate crisis is at hand and reelect Abe Lincoln we can then Say that our country is saved and the clashing of arms & the booming of cannon will soon begin to die away in the distance, and peace—a glorious peace will bless our now unhappy country. and then will we be a happy nation and a happy people—then the weary & war worn Soldier can return to his home & Friends. oh wont it be a happy time. God hasten the day when we can proclaim peace once more

 

            Well I will close by asking you to write to me, which will give me much pleasure Give my kindest regards to your Mother & remember me to all

 

I am ever yours Truly             Geo J Nash Jr

 

Adeline & Laura

SOURCES