Army of Tennessee     Atlanta Georgia August the 12/64

 

Dear Grandpar

                                                                                                            As I have not heard from you for a long time I have come to the conclusion to write you a few lines to let you now that I am not dead yet and am still spaired by the almighty hand of a benifficent creator and all wise creator. Thare Is nothing new hear but the continued roar of musketry and artilery which has not bin doing much damage as yet but sence this campaign which was the first of May we have lost a good many men boath in our regament and other portions of the army Sence General Johns has bin releave & Hood has bin put in his place the army has become verry much demoralized a good many are deserting and going home. I did not think Jefferson Davis was such a fool as as to put such an a man as hood in his place I dont blame the men for going home this is a verry trying time but not so much so as vix vickburg was the only differance is that we we have not bin in a pen and a nother is that we have a plenty of the staff of life that is corn bread and bacon but w we have are nearly burnt out on it bin eating it so long and nothing else It is awfull bad. my humble opinion is that it will Rile on a man quicker than whisky My health is exceedingly good at this time Fayette is in retched bad helth he is at the Hospitle at this time I cant inform you how his helth is he has bin sick near two months he cant stand camp life. Andy Smith of our company was killed on the 28 July an all the casualteys that / has occured lately. Lieutenant Spears is running for the officer of county Treasurer and I want you to want to him vote for him he has bin in the army evry sence the war commenced and is a honest and poor man. Lee Stillman has had the office for the last six year and has never bin in the army and I dont think he has any further claims on the people for the office I want you to recomend him to the citazens of the neighbourhood and Especially Mr Hillburn. General Wheler is gon to the rear of the yankeys army to burn and tare up the railroad between her and chattanooga him and Morgan is serposed to going to form a junction

 

Give my love to all of the girls and I would like to be thare to Injoy Injoy myself with them in eating peaches wartermellons and so on but I dont now when when that day will come but I dont now when that day will come. Give my love to all Iquiring friends write soon, yours

 

                                                Affectionately

                                                            W. J. Stanley

 

P.S. Tell Jasper to be a good boy and stay with his Grand Par If you had sean as much of this war as I have you would stay with your grand Par till you ware an old man Fayette is as sick of the army than I ever was

 

                                                Affectionately

                                                            W J Stanley

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