Camp South of Chattahocha riv

Geor            July 16^th 1864

 

            Dear Sister

                                    After so long a time I endeavor to write you a few lines My health at this time is very good but not untill very lately have been hardly able to travail. The weather is awful warm I never did experiance such warm weather The Army at this time is lying still not much having been done for a week or more. I dont know how long this state of affairs will continue but their is one thing certain if we have to march this weather more men will be lost from the effects of heat than would be in a hard battle when the weather is cool. We commenced this campaign on the 3^rd day / of May and for two months we were skirmishing and fighting regularly Since that time we have driven the enemy on an average of two miles a day having marched 120 miles from our starting point two months of that time our Regt was never out of range of the enemys bulletts balls continually whisting over us day and night had no assurance at night but what you would be hit before morning many a poor fellow was killed while sleeping Our regt has lost 25 killed and about 100 wounded My Comp has lost 2 killed and 8 wounded since the campaign first commenced We are now near Atlanta the place which Sherman intended to take I think after we get in possession of that place we will have some rest The army / must be rested for every Soldier is worn out from exposure. If Grant is successful in the east the day is decidedly ours peace will soon follow they cant stand it to driven much further. Dave Hackney came up yesterday to se me. he is well he is driveing a team. I have a good many men back sick I suppose you have heard of Dave Chambers getting his left hand shot of by a shell and John Keith being killed I suppose William took a trip to Iowa did he buy land or not. he talked of it when I saw him last. Erwin will pay you that money when ever you want it. Does John Leonard board with you I suppose he is in the Depot at Harrodsburgh 

 

I hope to live to se home again when I do come home again I will come to stay I expected to Soldier 6 or 8 months longer if I should live that long then I expected to quit the business as I will have serve a near 4 years enough for one man when there are so many that have done nothing in trying to put doun this rebellion

 

            But I will close this hopeing

            you will write at your earliest

            Opportunity

 

                        I remain your Brother until Death

                                                Silas Grimes

                        To        Sarah Taylor &

                                    Robbert Taylor

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