Southwest of Atlanta

4 miles            Aug 7^th 1864

 

Dear Ina,

                        Yours of July 23^d came to hand last friday evening. I did not have time to answer it that evening and do not know how soon I will have an opportunity to send this. It is early and it is a beautiful Sabath morning. It rained quite hard last evening which makes it quite cool for which I am very thankful, as Our Brigade mourn the loss of many brave and noble hearted men. The case is like this we were orderd to advance and our Brigadier was nearly drunk. yet he could ride walk or run, but he holding the position that he does was to much intoxicated. He orderd our Brigade to charge and take a line of / rebel works, at the point of the bayonet. it proved a desperate and unseccessful charge. our men did not get closer than 15 or 20 rods They stoped laid down and remained until they were orderd off The Regt lost in killed 12 wounded 59 missing 2. Co A. 6 wounded as follows, James Butler through right arm below the elbow one bone supposed to be broken, James Slick through right shoulder Stafford Godphrey the ball entering near his wisdom teeth and coming out and and of his mouth carrying a nomber of teeth with it, John Willit very slight on left thumb Thomas Williams knee with a spent ball only a light bruise. Henry Leonard shin bruised with a spent ball James and James Bice was detaled as Skermisher in the morning has not been herd / from since they advanced he may and may not be dead. we should like to know but may never know. Co F. had 4 killed Lieut Col Bond was wounded on the shin with a spent ball, Lieut Clark wounded the ball enterd a little below the collar bone did not go in very far. 3 other Officers were wounded Soon after we fell back and took position behing our works. we herd tremendious firing off on our left perhaps 1 mile. have not herd the results. Just orderd draw rations Rebels have very strong works, and I think sherman is in great need of more men. It may be months before Atlanta falls. I am very thankful that Walter and I am well. I place much confidence and reliance in the prayer of Christians and how much I crave yours. I am sorry that you do not enjoy your mind very well can you not / assertain the cause God is very gracious and especialy to his children Allow me to ask a few questions do you read the bible frequently and frequent the place of secret prayr. meditation is very esencial. You need more of the Grace of God now than when we were both at home as the training of the precious ones is left to your charge. I scarcely ever miss of breathing forth requests for you and our little ones evry day. How I desire that Adda and Willy may make early and devout Christians. I think it will be a profitable plan for you to read aloud one chapter in the Bible before retiring or after breakfast and read aloud it may have much influence on Adda require her to give attention. Also you take any paper that may assist you in training children. yet do not take papers or books as a fixed rule but you can get some good hints or sugestions Also if Adda can read by herself be shure to get a childs paper for her to read. call it her paper. occasionaly read aloud from it to her. induce her to ask you questions. by so doing she will become interested in it and there will be many impressions

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