Transcription

          Camp 2d Mass Vol Infty

          In the Woods near Marretta Georgia

                            July 4th 1864

          Dear E.

                        Once more I have a chance

to drop you a few lines. And I should not wonder if they

were few indeede yesterday, we advanced. the Johnies haveing

picked up thier [traps] and left the night before. but we skir-

mished with them all day takeing many prisoners. They

are now opposite to us on a ridge or at least a portion of

them while thier main body is crossing the Chattahoochee.

Heavy Cannonading on our right and left Wings, but

as near as we can tell eliciting no reply. but it's impposible

to tell for a certainty. it so far off. I beged this sheet of paper

from a battery fellow. and shall save half of it for another note.

One year ago yesterday morning I went to the Hospital at

Gettysburg, and to day we are in the heart of almost of the

Confederate States. And you need not be suprised to find

my next letter dated from Attalanta. as we are bound

to take it, by fare play or foul, and some think Johnston will

make but a feeble show this side of Ceader Bluff which is

nine miles the other side of Attalanta.

Our Skirmishers went through Marietta, and say it is

a very pretty place - and not much damaged by the army

of either side. If this is the case the people must have staid

at home, and not followed the crowd to Attalanta, as most

of the inhabitants of other towns have done. Prisoners say that

Attalanta is full of this class, that have left thier homes, as

Johnstons army fell back, leaving thier houses to be skined

out by "Dog robbers" ([officrss] [Watius]) and Straglers", but Johnson tells them the