July 16^th 1864

Camp in the woods near the Chattahoochee River.

 

Affectionate Mother,

                        There seems to be a spare time this afternoon which I will occupy by scribbling a few lines to you. at present I cannot think of much to write but perhaps when I get started I may fill my sheet. The first thing that would concearn you I suppose is how I am getting along. My health has been very good and I have been with the company whereever it has went. since the fifth of the month the 20^th and 14^th corps have been laying here in camp, doing nothing more than common picket duty. across the Chattahoochee the river is about 75 yds wide and the rebs are picketing on one side and us on the other. the boys and them made an agreement that neither party would shoot at the other as long as we remained in that position, and it makes it much pleasanter doing duty, for it is not very agreeable to lay in rifle pits in the hot sun all day being shot at and shooting. a deserter swam over the other day when I was on duty. he says / that there is only three Brigades on the other side of the river doing picket duty, the remainder of their army is back four miles this side of Atlanta waiting for us to come over there. there has four corps crossed over the river but what they are doing I am not able to tell, but think they are trying to get in the rear of the enemy. the rebs (or Johnnys as we call them they call us billys) are most crazy to get coffee crackers or most any thing we have. they will swim the river with tobacco as they have plenty of that and trade it for something to eat, but they wont allow one of us to come in to the water I suppose that the reason is that they are afraid that we will sound it and see how deep it is. they will hollow across and make a bargain for to give so much tobacco for what they want or what we have to trade, and then make us prommise to let them back which all agree to and then they come across. that deserter said that it appeared as if he had got into a new world. he says that their oficers make them believe that we kill all that we catch, or else many more would come over than there is. he thought he would run the risk of loosing his life to get away. he tried to send word back to his comrades but failed. (This sheet and envelope was give to me by the christian commision through capt. stilwell.)

 

No more about the rebs this time I believe. you spoke about eating rasberries and cream and about talking for a week without stopping. as for berries it would be a great treat to sit and help you eat, but blackberries are ripe here and I get as many of them almost as I can eat. we make a cobler of them. we put some crackers to soak in cold water (for warm water makes them tough) and stew our berries in a coffee pot, and when they are almost cooked we put in the crackers and they are soon ready to eat. as for the talking part I dont think you could beet me much, I should be glad of the chance to chat a week with you. one of my cheif desires is to meet you on earth and again. but if I or either one of you there / should be called away I hope to meet you where we will not be separated and where all is hapiness. my cheif desire is that I may at last make heaven my home. I suppose that you have long since heard of Ben's death. this is a sad stroke to many friends and a great warning to us. he and Abe came out stout hearty men and now they are both gone, I hope to a better land. I have nothing more to write this time, or I have more but no room. I intended to say something about the sanitary and christian commision but no room this time. If any body asks why I dont write to them tell them that I would write but paper is scarce and I have not much of time or chance to write and give them with all enquiring friends my best respects.        

      

Good by

yours truly,

W H Bone.

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