Camp of 46^th Reg^t P.V.V.

near Marietta Ga

June 30^th 1864

 

Dear Bro Dave

                                    Your very welcome letter of the 20^th reached me yesterday your letter of three days previous has not yet come to hand in fact this is the only one since I left Decherd. I thought you would write and let me know whether that box of clothes which we sent from Decherd arrived safely or not We have been in this Camp for a week past, not that we have stopped fighting but we have got to the place where the Rebels have their strongest fortifications and it will take something besides fighting to get them out. our Division had a pretty sharp fight on the evening of the 22^nd on the very spot on which we are now encamped. We had got to the / ground and commenced to build Breastworks of rails but before we had them finished a whole Division of Rebs came charging upon us. we had the advantage of them for they had to come across an open space of about half a mile they came on the double quick, yelling & screeching as if they were going to swallow us up but their tune changed very soon for our Artillery played Grape & Canister while the Musketry was deafining. they came up to within fifty yds of us and lay down protected from our fire by a small ridge. they lay there for one whole hour afraid to advance further and afraid to go back again through the open space. We might have made a fine haul of Prisoners but our Generals would not risk an advance as our support of Butterfield's Division had not come up and there was but a single line of our Div as it was we took about 200 Prisoners We paid them off well for the affair at / Dallas, where our Division was in the same fix as they were this time. curios enough too we were pitted against the same Rebel Div which fought us at Dallas & Resaca Stevens Division of Hoods Corp

 

We wont get any credit for this fight though it will all go to Geary or Butterfield though neither of them fired a shot We are now about five miles from the Kenesaw Mountains. our Army is streched in line of Battle for nearly eight miles with the Rebels in very strong positions imediately in our front in some places the line of Breastworks are not one hundred yards apart. the Rebels are posted on a high ridge covered with trees while we are in an open space where they can see all our movements while we can see but very little of theirs. our Colors are planted on our works and many a time they are shot at by the Johnny's I suppose they would like to have them but they cant do it. our Regiment is posted / on a hill and on the line of the Regt are two Batteries or 12 pieces of Cannon We hold the strongest position in our Division and from it can see along our lines for about two miles. we can see the whole line of Geary^s Div. with the 4^th & part of the 14^th Corps. day before yesterday I was witness to a grand sight, the whole 4^th Corp moving forward in line of Battle on the double quick. I could see the Artillery firing on both sides and see the Infantry engaged It is the first time I have seen the line of Battle so plainly everything in our front is pretty quiet with the exception of picket firing. we can see the Rebel Pickets plainly and it dont do to show ourselves to much above our works as a stray bullet might come whizzing by us our Picket can talk to Johnny very easy and many are the questions asked and retorts / given. the other night one of our Pickets scared Johnny pretty well. he gave the command just a Col would to his Reg^t going on a charge. as soon as he gave the command "Forward" "double quick" "Charge" the whole Rebel line of Pickets fired thinking the Yankees were going to make a night attack.

 

there is a part of the 19^th Corp with this army they came up a few days ago and are now on the right of us about two miles. I dont know whether the 47^th is with them or not if the are they will see fighting in earnest not fancy drilling but good hard knocks.

 

after this when you write put a sheet of paper & an envelope inside as we are entirely out of everything in that line. we have no way of carrying anything and even if we had / there is no way of getting any as nothing can come by Rail Rode but rations and forage. and when you send papers which I hope you will do often dont forget to stick in a plug or so of the weed

 

Billy has been sent back to hospital he will try to get as far north as possible he is not badly wounded at all though in warm weather great care must be taken of any wound to prevent mortification I think I have written enough for the present so I will close

 

Give my love to Mother, Sisters & Bro's to all inquiring Friends

 

same yourself from your

                                                aff Bro

                                                            Dan

 

                                    Daniel Davis

                                                Co C 46 Reg^t P.VV

                                                            20 Army Corp

                                                            Army of the Cumberland

                                                                                    Ga

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