Head Quarters 1^st Wis. Cav.

Camp near Lost Mountain Ga. June 29^th 64

 

Dear Wife:—

                        We are still camped near the same place we were when I last wrote you six days ago. All we have been doing since is to send out scouting parties and pickets every day. I have been out, I believe, but twice; that was when nearly the whole regiment went. Our camp is about half a mile south of Lost Mountain, which does not deserve to be called anything more than a hill, it being a conical elevation rising out of a level plain not more, I should think than 250 feet in height. The sides are not so steep and rugged but that a man can easily ride a horse up; and before we took it the rebels had several pieces of light artillery on its top, where we now have a signal station, to protect which, I presme, is why we are staying here. From the top of this "mountain" a vast extent of beautiful level country is spread out to view. To the south and east one can see, it is said, fifty miles. Atlanta is visible more than twenty miles distant. Kenessaw Mountain is a similar hill, though some higher, and with more rugged sides, about six miles east of Lost Mountain. This the rebels still hold. Our lines are in the form of an isosoles triangle, with Kenessaw at the apex on the northwestern extremity and the wings or sides of the triangle running down some seven or eight miles. Within the last few days the extremities of our lines near the base of the triangle have been pressed toward each other, so that the extremities are less than three miles apart. Signals are made across. The rebels are nearly surrounded and th it seems to me they will have to do some terrible fighting if many of them get away. Unless they get help from some unknown source, or some / great blunder is committed on our part. I think it is hardly "possible that Philip should escape" this time without being severely punished at least. Day before yesterday a general assault was made at different points all around the lines, the object being, I suppose, to crowd our flanks nearer together, the assault in other parts of the lines being merely to engage their attention. The battle continued all day till after dark. The rebels they say fought desperately, and we lost a great many men, but our flanks were pushed some two miles nearer together, thus materially tightening the "anaconda coils" around our (I hope) doomed enemy. I am unable to learn anything definite in regard to our loss in this battle. It is reported that Brig Gen Harker was killed and Maj Gen McCook mortally wounded. Our camp is about three miles from our main lines but the roar of battle was very loud and probably was heard at five times this distance.

 

            The weather has been very hot lately, and some of the men are getting sick, but I believe all from our part are well. My health is still good. Bill Bowers is yet in Chattanooga taking care of the sick. You ask frequently if I need money. I have forgotten to mention it before. Do not worry about that. It is true I have but little money, but I am better off than the rest, for nearly all of them have none, but I have no use for money. If I had never so much it would go but a little way here in buying anything; one might spend a fortune and get no good of it after all, be able to tell what had become of it. From all accounts it seems that Wisconsin is not likely to raise enough for her inhabitants to eat. But never mind I guess they will not starve, and if we can only end the war this year, we shall have good reason to rejoice let whatever will hapen. I can think of no more news to write and the weather is so warm that I feel too dull and indolent to think up anything else, so if you can excuse this short letter from your

                                                                                                Perry

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