Box 4

Scope and Contents

He is very homesick and has received no letters- But "when I think how much is needed and how much willing hands may do, I feel that there is no way but to gather fresh courage and try a while longer" - Talks about deserters - "The desolation and sorrow that they have caused will be a stain on them as long as they live"..."poor deluded mortals they know not what they did".Number of pages: 4

Scope and Contents

May at any moment get marching orders and is sending most of his clothing to the rear-Went out to the battlefields to take up the dead for burial in the new U.S. Cemetery in Chattanooga-"we were glad to have a chance to put the poor fellows where they can rest in peace-we must not think defeat after having gained so much". Also talks about their financial position.Number of pages: 4

Scope and Contents Discusses a potential battle for Marietta and is very positive about their military position-Mentions the Southern corn diet-Wishes he could be home for the 4th of July-Describes the band music that cheers the troops-Discusses the rebel deserters who are lied to by their officers and keep coming every day-"the poor deluded folks keep on fighting and sacrificing thousands of lives on both sides" - Army has complete confidence in General Sherman and "we'll go wherever he tells...

Scope and Contents

Writes about Church - "today being a beautiful Sabbath as calm and quiet as though no such thing as war existed" - Wishes he was home - Mentions General Sherman's strategy of "running around their (Rebel) ends" - Discusses his pay and his finances.Number of pages: 4

Scope and Contents

Mentions "there has been but little fighting for a few days...we have a very large force across the river and the prospect is very fair that we will be in Atlanta before long" - Writes "ours and the Rebel picket lines are close together...will all have some wonderful old soldier stories to tell if we get home".Number of pages: 4

Scope and Contents

Writes "Don't think how anxious we soldiers are to get letters on anything from home - reminding us of comfort and plenty-and the quiet times of peace" - Asks that his daughter attend diligently to her studies - Talks about his son Willie - Hopes Ma will have enough money to raise chickens and two or three pigs - Mentions that the sick and wounded get plenty to eat and are well cared for.Number of pages: 4

Scope and Contents "Atlanta is ours" - "We had quite a number wounded in the Division and a good many sick"..." dressing wounded before sunrise-and worked til late in the day before ambulances were sent - then we loaded and sent away load after load until late in the night"..."I don't doubt that there is more rejoicing at home than here" - "the soldier soon becomes indifferent to all joys and sorrows" - Describes John McGovern's roadside grave - "How we...

Scope and Contents

Mentions that he was mistaken; Atlanta has not been taken but their forces occupy strong positions-Writes about possible new hospital locations-Conditions are good except for thousands of flies - "They are into everything-we hardly bother to skim them out of our coffee or soup." Talks about how hard it is to replace clothing - "Things are so enormously high that I can hardly afford them" (Letter is incomplete)Number of pages: 4

Scope and Contents

Talks about the children, their finances, improvements on the house - He needs clothes -"I am the shabbiest dressed Medical Officer here" - Comments on the campaign "our Commander is not very keen to take Atlanta just at present" - Discusses in graphic terms the treatment of battle wounds.Number of pages: 4

Scope and Contents Mentions improvements to the house-His division is going to garrison Atlanta-He is in charge of the Amputated Ward and the worst cases and gets a great many compliments from the soldiers- Gen'l Sherman has issued orders to remove the rebel civilians-"it seems cruel almost to require families to leave their homes and go, they know not where" - Discusses distinctions in rank -Talks about a future medical practice and that he will no longer accept any position in the Army....