Camp near Chattahoochee river Georgia

July 11^th 1864.

 

                                                                                    Worthy Brother, Sister & family;—

                                                                                                                                    In your last letter you requested me to write often, and as I have the time at present I will write you a few lines to inform you that God's mercies have still been with me thus far. The enemy has again left another strong position, but was forced to do it by the yankees. They left night before last and yesterdays (Sunday morning) sun soon gave us to see that they had all principally fled. Fortunately some other troops took our place and releaved us and the race commenced. We then formed some kind of a camp and pitched our tents and we are now resting. The Colonel told us that perhaps we might remain here a few days, but it is uncertain. The roumer is that the rebs passed through Atlanta and that our / boys are in the city. How true it is I cannot say but we are within 7 miles of Atlanta and I know that they are much nearer if not there. The deserters say that they will pass seven miles beyond Atlanta to pine bluffs and make another stand there. Perhaps they will try and hold our forces back at all positions possible, but they will not stand an open field fight. I never seen stronger works than they had at this place, but as they say, the yankees come in on their ends and they had to leave or fight in the open, which they will not do unless they have three men to our one. I wish you could be here to see how they had their works fixed. Last evening a few of us boys got permission to go to see the works and I was astonished. They had posts about four feet high pointed and sunk in the ground so that men could not charge their work or get too them. They also had two rows of brush cut and pointed in front of the pointed fence. Their works indeed were impregnable / and if men would of charged them they never would of got away alive. I hope we will never be asked to charge works like the ones we charged on the 27^th of last month. Our boys were brave but it could not be done as they had all advantages. I suppose you have seen the accounts of that charge through the papers long ere this, and if I mistake not I told you our losses in the last letter. We miss our brave comrads, our Captain and Major, but we trust those who were killed God has taken to himself, and those who are wounded He is comforting. One of our boys was wounded last Saturday and also one of Company C, while we was on the skrimish line. Our brigade has been in front since we started on this campaign untill yesterday morning. I feel tired and worn out like the most of the boys but a few days rest will help us considerable.

 

I wish I was with you this evening to eat supper and have a small chat, though we have plenty of rations and have had on this campaign, but not so / good tasting as those would be were I permited to dine with you. I hope and trust the day is not far distant when the stars and strips shall wave over every town and city, and be honored as they use too in the past. I feel that God has been giving us success, and if we do not forget to call upon him, and implore his blessings upon us, He will still remain true to us. God will never forsake us, if we remain faithful. O, what a friend he has been to me in time of danger; He has shielded me from the many cruel missiles that have been flung at me; thanks to him for it and his goodness.

 

But perhaps I am spinning my letter to lengthy, but I am not half done telling you what I would or could if I was by your side. I will close trusting that God will bless us and shield us from all dangers. Farewell

My warmest love                                            From your true Brother

to you.                                                             Good bye                    Henry Wetzel

 

                                                                                    Direct as before.

 

[margins]

 

Sister you told me to send them without stamps and I will have to do it as I have none and they are not to be had down here yet. pardon me.

 

Do not forget to write to me as I love to receive good and cheering letters. You do not know or would not immagine what comfort a cheering letter brings to a soldiers heart. I received a letter from Sister Lib yesterday, and how it cheered me up. No one knows but myself. Do not forget to write and if I have time I will not fail to write to you. Remember me in your private devotions to God and you shall be remembered. No more this time but write soon, and give me all the news about affairs. Tell me how you are getting along with the Sunday school and who are your teachers. I would love to tend but I feel that I am doing my duty here in the army. We must uphold our rights that have been handed to us by our forfathers. They fought for liberty as we now fight.

 

The rebs burnt the bridges across the river before they left. If nothing happens they will soon be put up and the cars be in Atlanta. I hope and pray Grant will be successful in Virginia. Last accounts we had all was favourable in that portion of the country. I would like to help you to harvest if it could be so. We have from to-day fourteen month more to serve and then if we do not veteran we will be free, if our lives are spared.

SOURCES