Savannah July 8^th 1863.

 

My Darling Leila

                                    Surely the past few days have been fraught with items of most thrilling interest. First the news of the great battle at Gettysburg Penn of which I wrote you in my last: then on yesterday the Bloody Battle of Sunday, in which Gen’l Lee captured 40,000 prisoners,— again the very sad and harrowing intelligence of the Fall of Vicksburg, which spread through the City like wild fire, and really dampened the joy of the earlier news. Everybody knew it and expected it, and it was generally credited. Why the report of the capture of New Orleans which was quite current, was not enough / to relieve the gloom, which a great many seemed to feel. I am so happy My Darling to find to-day that the news of the surrender of Vicksburg is traceable to the report of a Mail Carrier, who because he heard no firing from either Army there concluded that it must be so. In official circles both here and at Richmond I am well informed no sort of credence is given to the dispatch and its publication was suppressed. Heaven grant that instead of such a disaster, we may be enabled to rejoice in a perfect victory over the indefatigable Grant. From official facts at Richmond this latter result is daily expected. In the paper I send you to-day you will find where Gen Taylor has left New Orleans to Magruder, and with / Gardner has entirely routed and defeated the arrogant Banks at Port Hudson. With their armies they will proceed to reinforce Gen Johnson. In this view of things how bright do our hopes become. No where defeated the Confederate army by the help of God is marching on to victory and liberty. What a Leader is our Lee! No force of the Enemy can stand before his invincible Hosts. It is estimated that this last capture about comprises the whole of Meade’s army exclusive of the dead wounded and stragglers, and Generals—of course the latter made good their escape—We are expecting to hear next of Gen Lee’s Artillery at the very gates of Washington or Baltimore or both. /

 

I could not get well myself. so I concluded to put myself under Dr Arnold’s treatment. I am still taking his medicine, and will finish to-night. My fever was bilious of an intermittent type. I think I will be quite well in the morning being so much better to-day.

 

Do you know Darling that I have not received a line from you yet? I wonder if you get my letters. I have written you very regularly, and yet doubt your having received them.

 

A most delightful shower has just cooled the air, and it is now quite pleasant.

 

Darling Leila don’t forget to pray fervently for yourself and Your devoted Johnnie

            GoodBye

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