Army in the field near Atlanta Georgia.

August 15^th/64.

 

                                                                        Dear Brother & Sister;—

                                                                                                                        Last evening I was greeted with a kind letter from your hand and this morning I seat myself to try to answer it. I was glad to hear that you were well and the rest of the folks in the neighborhood, and am thankful that I can say that my health is very good at present. I had a boil under my right arm which troubled me very much for a few days, but now I am over that and feel all right. The doctor excused me from duty every time I asked him and done all for me he could. I think he is all right if you do your duty when you are well. Some of the boys think he does not treat them well, but as for me I must say he has done well. I never go to him untill I must, (and that has been few times since I am in the army) and then he tends me well. But I must say / a word about our position about Atlanta and about what we expect. The rebs still hold Atlanta, but they are being pressed very hard. We are slowly winding arround the city and my opinion is if that if they do not soon get out, they will have to fight most desperate. Since we have crossed the Chattahoochee river there has been some desperate fighting but all in our favor. The rebs charged our works several times and lost very heavy. Our regiment has been very fortunate since we crossed, though we have lossed some men, but not very many. Yesterday one week we charged their works and we took three lines with but little loss. There was but one man struck in our company and that was done while we was fortifying. As soon as we took their works we commenced to turn their works and we took possession of them. The rebs gave us a pretty good shelling but we stood up to them and they found they could not scare us very much, so they ceased firing. We took a good many prisoners and a good many deserters came in. / Day-before yesterday 460 some came in, in one squad, and they are daily coming in by small squads. Our corps is at present on the right center. The 28^th Corps is all that is on our right. On our left is the 15^th, 16^th, 17^th, 20^th and 4^th Corps and the roumer is that we are getting reinforcements, and I most believe we are. At least I hope we will. Our boys are in good spirits and all they wish and hope for is for the people in the north to respond nobly to the 500,000 call. We have the rebs in Georgia in a pretty close place, and I believe that if Grant had more men he would do the right thing in Virginia. But we must not look to our Generals alone; there is one who is greater than they and can do much more than they can. We should trust in His strength and in his power. He can give us victory when no one else can, and he can cause a defeat if he wishes too.

 

Brother & Sister;—I was sorry to hear of the sad events that occurred in old Pa. but such are the scenes of war. A battle / field looks much worse that than a town burnt to the ground, but still the latter is to bad, while the first is still worse. There has been much distruction in this army, or part of the country, by both armies. Our line is close by a house and there are three families living in it. They have a cave dug to get in when cannonaiding commences. I have pittied them but I can do nothing for them. As far as that music book is concerned I was glad that you received it, but you are under no particular obligations, as you have done much more for me than I ever done for you. I thank you for what you have done for me in the past, and hope that some day I will be able to repay you for all your kindness. I suppose I might as well close as I have nothing particular to write this morning. Pardon the short letter and write soon. I wish you well and hope we may in the future meet. Farewell

 

(My love to all of you)                                    From your Brother

            Write soon if convenient.                                           Henry.

I shall try and write as often as possible

but you must not forget to write.

            God bless you and all, Good bye.

 

We are in the front line and close to the rebs works. We have strong works also. Bullets are continually flying.

 

[margins]

 

We have a captain again but he does not amount to any-thing. He belonged to Company F and was 1^st Lieutenant, but he was assigned to our company and is now Captain. We do not like him but he may grow better. We hope so at least. The boys in the company are cheerful and in good spirits. Tell Miss Mary that I would be pleased to receive a few lines from her hand if desireable. I should write to her but have no news at present, and at best am a poor letter writer.

 

Sister if I was you I would loose but little sleep by a tooth. I have two brought out since I am in the army. Yesterday I was in the service two years. I have twelve month more to stay and if God is willing to spare my life I may get home. I suppose we will soon have a chance to veteran. I think I will not veteran untill I see home if I live so long. I wish to know why Peter Brindle resigned and come home Please tell me if you know.

 

I could write another sheet but have not the time so I suppose I will close.

 

The order is for inspection this evening and dress parade. Buly for us. The first we have had for a long time.

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