August the 28^th 63

 

Dear Sarah I seat my self this morning to rite you a few lines to let you know that I am well and I hope thoes few lines will finde you engoying the same great blessing it has ben a bout 2 weeks since I have had an opportunity of riting to you We left Pelham on the 16^th and I have received 2 letters from you since that time and was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you and Lisa and all the rest of the folks ware well We are now leying on the top of the mountain Chatanoga is about 8 milds from us on the other side of the Tennesee river We can se the / Town the rebs are their in hevy force and I think they intend to give us a fite hear We hav ben hear 5 days We are wating on the rite and center they are swinging around. I think the calculation is to suround the town We ma have to ley hear some time for Rosey will have evrything redy before he closes in on them it is a splendid senery hear We can se as fare as the eye can se We ar 1500 feet a bove the valey Wilders brigad of mounted men are down in the valy in betwen us and the Town his Battery has shelled the Town some the rebs fired a 32 pownder at them twice the firs shot cild 4 horses and took of a sargents leg but the other shot done no damage they fired several shots at our / men with smaller gunes but the could not reach them the river is 6 hundred and 50 yards wide in frunt of the town I dont think our brigade will have mutch if any fiting to do for I think the fiting will be on the other side up the river for we cant get a crost to them nor they cant get to us with out putting pontoon briges across and I dont think that will be done yet a while

 

We are wating for an opportunity to go close a nuff to shell the town some, if they would let us go within 2 milds of the Town we can give them fits with our 10 pown Parit guns I think the most of the fiting will be done with Artilery /

 

I dont want you to be uneasy about me for God is able to take care of me I think if we are successful hear it will be the last fiting we will have to doo you want me to get afurlow that is an imposibility for their hasent ben but one or to men got furlows in this brigade for 4 or 5 months that I know of and that was to sick men or to one whoos family was dead dying and sick We will have to wait the lords time he will do what is best for us if we only put our trust in him My daly prayer is that the time will soon come when this wicked rebellion shal be put down so that we can return to our dear familys and friends God speed that happy day but I must close for this time still hoping to remain your loving husband W^m Forder to

Sarah Forder               Pray for me that I ma prove faithful to you and our God so fare the well for this time

 

rite soon and often

 

[front top margin upside down]

our riting material is al back in the rear We made out to get some paper and invelops this morning there is only our brigade and 3 of our guns out of our devision hear the rest in back about 10 m and have ben for 6 days

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