July 21^st 1864.

In Hospital five miles north of Atlanta.

 

Dear Mother

             Yesterday at about four oclock we were preparing to make an attakt on the enemy here and before we were ready the rebs made a charge on us. therefore we had an open field fight. they came on us three lines strong, while we had but one line. I with my comrades of the third Division handsomely repulsed them and drove them back but they were not satisfyed with that and came at us again. I fired one shot at them and just as I had loaded again and was standing in a stooping position a ball struck my cap box went on through and struck me in the fore part of the hip joint and went back through the flesh about two inches and lodged it did not strike the bone and so far has not pained me much. the docktor says it is but a slight wound and will soon be well if I take good care of myself which I will try my best to do. I can move about on it but do not more than I can posibly help. /

 

the boys had severe fighting after I left but gaind the ground they started for. I dont know the exact number of killed and wounded it is about sixty in our Regt. three from our company. W^m Banes of springboro was killed. David Perines leg amputated, and myself. I received Emmas letter on the 15^th was glad to hear that all was well. I have nothing more to write at present but will write in a few days again. Let us render our sincere thanks to God that he spared me with such a slight wound.

 

Good by

your son

W H Bone.

SOURCES