Within 3 miles of Aquoth June 12^th 1864.

 

            Loving Ina,

                                    Today is the God given day of rest, yet, our advantages to enjoy it is poor. it commenced to rain last night at about 1 Oclock, and has hardly seaced since it is just 25 minuts past 3 in the afternoon. We ar still in the same place that we occupied yesterday after we advanced a little. We ar cloce to the Rebels. Company G. were sent out on the skermish line yesterday the company lost in wounded 2. the company killed one and captured one (both rebs) The rebels have a battery cloce to us they opened for a short time today and we the Company thought it was our own guns until some of the shell came near us it was just to our left and in front. it sounded as though it was but 80 rods from us. I wrote you yesterday. had so little time to write or finish it complete that I could not look over it as I would like to have done, as the P.M. did not give more than 3 or 5 minuts to get and hand him the letters. I hope there was nothing written harshly. I herd today that Lincoln was nominated for the Presidency and Johnson of Tenn V President. if so it is just as it should be. Our forces ar cloce to what is called lone Mountain the Rebels ar supposed to be strongly fortified on it. the P.M. sed that it resembled Mission Ridge very much. the soldiers think Sherman will flank them out. all is onward to Atlanta. I was thinking today while laying in my tent what soul cheering news it would be to the army if Grant would before night teligraph that Lee had surenderd Richmond I think I could rush out of what the boys call our dog or pup tent in the rain and shout to the top of my voice. If Lee should be taken I think peace will be near at hand May God speed the glad day. I will close this by adding that Walter & Milton and I ar well

                                                            Yours William

 

[margins]

 

Have the bees made any surplus

 

I am all right How many stands of bees ar weak they ought to hang out in warm days Swarming ought to commence by the 25^th Have your hives sweet and cool. Always put a piece of inch or ½ inch board under each corner of the hive after putting the hive on the stand let it remain 3 or 4 days then take the pieces out always shade the hives of new hived swarms for a few days /

 

Monday 13^th at 11⁰⁰ yesterday the 112^th wer orderd to go on the skermish line about one half were out all night and this morning they were relieved by the other half. Co A went out this morning. none have been wounded as yet but little firing last night and so far this morning. General Kocks our Division Commander, expected that the Rebels would charge this position that the 112^th held early this morning. Soon after I arose this morning, an insect flew in Miltons ear which was very paneful. he went to the doctors has not returned he soon came back feeling easy but the insect was still in. he has gone back again has not returned It rained nearly all night, and slacked at about 10, long anough for us to dry ourselves. There is rather a poor prospect of it stoping its to drench us as the great orb cannot penetrate the clouds anough to cast a single ray on animated creation. There is a great change which is very apparent in the military moves here Sherman moves very slowly it seems that he does not wish to push Johnson we all believe that we could move within a few days on Atlanta, but he must be detained while Grant deals out heavy blows. after Grant is through then you may look for something here. I expect to draw 3 days rations today. I am well. Trust you ar may your mind be enlivened with cheerfulness

 

5 Oclock in the afternoon. The 112^th ar to be relieved by the 16 Ky at 6 I am now with one day ration of beef back ¾ of a mile from the skermish line will isue as soon as the Co comes in. Milton is all right. the doctor took a bug out of his ear he has gone after water while I write and watch a pot or 2 go pail boil with beef for Walter Milton and my supper. If you have no better I should like to divide it with you If I send this before Walter comes in and any thing happens we will write again. I hope you will not think this a short letter as there is more on this than there is usualy on a whole sheet. I would have written a whole sheet but did not know when the mail would go out. Our or Yankee cars runs to what is marked on the map Big shanty. It did not rain very much this afternoon. I am well send a great many well wishes to my dear family and remain yours William

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