Camped near Atlanta Ga

                                                                                                            Oct 3^d 1864

 

Miss Clifton

                        The Din of Battle has ceased and now we have some rest.

 

            And as I have a few leisure moments I will improve them by writing you a few lines. Military news there is none of any importance with us since the termination of the campaign. Everything is still and quiet.

 

            We had a cessation of Hostilities of ten days during which time all the Women and Children were removed from within the lines The principal part of them went to Macon Ga. A few of them went north. / There also was an exchange of Prisoners within the ten days Our Col was exchanged and returned to his command a few days ago.

 

            I will now endeavor to give you a brief history of our summers campaign.

 

Our movements upon the enemy were always successful.

 

1^st upon Resaca 2^nd upon Dallas

 

3^d upon Kenesaw 4^th on Nickajack

 

5^th via Roswell upon the Augusta R. Road 6^th upon

 

Ezra Church to the southwest of Atlanta and 7^th upon Jonesboro and Macon R. Road.

 

Atlanta was evacuated while we were fighting at Jonesboro. From Jonesboro we followed them to Love Joy Station distance of about 30 miles south of Atlanta. /

 

We were in line of Battle from the 10^th day of June until the 8 day of Sept. In that length of time we built Twenty five distinct lines of work and were in Thirteen distinct engagements and made a march of four hundred miles.

 

            We have buried our companions on every hill side in every valley throughout our long and circuitous march from Resaca to Love Joy Station. Our beloved commander fell in our midst. his name, the name of M^cPherson carries with it a peculiar feeling of Sorrow. As for rations we generally had an abundance of them. We are camped about three miles from the city of Atlanta and are having pretty good times. We are well fortified / and have a beautiful camping ground. The city has been a beautiful one in its day, but now is far from it. It is all shattered to pieces with shot and shell.

 

My health is good, but I had quite a serious time with the fever this summer.

 

The general health of the troops is pretty good. I like a soldiers life quite well. But I think soldiering is pretty near played out. I like this country far better than I expected I should.

 

            The weather is very fair and pleasant. I fear I will tire your patience and will close. hoping to hear from you soon. Address

68^th Ohio Infty Vols                                                    Pardon all

Co K care of Lieut Cosgro                                          Errors

Atlanta Ga

 

            Yours Affect.              W. J. Manley

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