Army in the field, near Marietta Georgia

July 4^th 1864

 

                                                                        My Dear Brother, Sister and family.

                                                                                                                                    I feel thankful that I am again permited to write you a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome message dated 22^nd of last month. It found me still on this side of the grave, but not so well. At present I feel some better and think I will be all right in a few days. I have had a very bad cold and along with it we have had but little sleep or rest, and the most of the boys felt worn out.

 

Your letter came to hand on the evening of the 2^nd and then we were about four miles north of Marietta in our rifle pits near the rebel works, but now we are about six miles south of Marietta and again we have breast works up, but hope we need not use them. The rebs are in plain view and I think if they would try they could shell us a little, but hope they will not try. I suppose you have seen through the papers that there was a desperate charge made on the morning of the 27^th of June by our forces, but were repulsed by with a heavy loss. Our brigade was in the charge and lossed very heavy. Our regiment lost 132 killed, wounded and missing. Our company lost heavy. Our Captain was killed and six men, making seven in killed and we had 19 wounded which would make 26 that fell in the charge. I that God that His protecting arm was thrown around me, and that so far through dangers seen and unseen His mercies have been extended towards me. Many of the boys had holes through their haversacks and clothes and I to my knoweledge was not touched. I thank God alone for it. Our brave Major too was killed with many other brave comrads. Our company was on the left of the regiment and there was an angle in the rebel works which gave them a / cross fire on us. Our company was almost ready to use the beyonet when we got orders to fall back. The rebel works were very strong and they had much the advantage in their works. I believe that we would of been able to take part of the rebel works, but do not believe that we could of held them. We fell back but a short ways and in the night we built breast works and some places the rebel works and ours were only 26 steps apart. You may immagine there were some hot and rough times, but I do not feel like writing to-day and I hope you will pardon the writing.

 

We passed through Marietta yesterday and it is a pretty nice little town. The country that we have passed over lately is very much torn up by the armies, but there is a great deal of corn planted. I suppose the rebs think they will live on corn. I seen a good many rebel prisoners yesterday and one rebel General that was captured. The boys all are tired but they say go on / till the war is over. I hope and pray this campaign will close the rebelion forever. Many deserters are daily coming in and they all say it is about played out, but when we come to fight them they fight desperate. If Shermans army had them in the open field I believe they would soon be crushed, but they will not fight unless they are about one half under ground. I do not know for certain but I think we are about twelve or thirteen miles from Atlanta, no more at least.

 

A thousand thanks to you for the little girls pictures and if my life is spared and I have the privelage I will send you mine as soon as possible. Tell the little girls to be good children and learn fast. I thank them for the flowers and send a kiss for each of them.

 

Sister that milk you were speaking about wouldn't pass very well here in dixie but we know that you are not able to send it. Sister Phebe I was not aware that you had called your other son Henry or I should never have asked you to call this one so. Please pardon me as I was ignorant of the fact.

 

I will now have to close for this time but if God is willing to spare my life I will write soon again. Remember me in your prayers and ask God if His will to spare my life and make me a good soldier for Him and our Country.

 

My best wishes to you.                                               Farewell From your Brother Henry

 

[margins]

 

The rebel cannon is now booming with ours and we know not how soon we may hear the shrill clatter of musketry, and ourselves have to participate in it. If so my trust is in Him who is strong and mighty to save. If I should be so unfortunate as to fall I will with the help of God meet you where there is no war, nor blood-shed.

 

            God bless you and me is the prayer of your Brother in the army.

 

            Good bye.

 

This is the 4^th of July and we can hear the booming cannon and the bands playing national airs but still it does not seem like the 4^th in the past. I wish I was there to help you to harvest. I think we would do but little the first few days as I would have to recruit a little before I would be able to follow a cradle myself. No more this time but good bye

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