Transcription
Camp of 105th Ill Vol July 13th [1864]
Dear Brother,
Having at last come to a stop for a little while (I do not know for how long though). I thought I would write a few lines to you. On the night of the 2nd inst. The Rebels left Chickasaw mountains and Marietta. On the 3rd our Army commenced to move again, our Corps. moved direct towards Marietta, our Brig. was in advance when within about ¾ of a mile from that place we ran into a rebel Battery placed in a good position. Our Division was drawn up in columns of division, and a Battery put in position just in front of our Regt. and a artillery duel commenced which lasted about 40 minutes. The rebel Battery fired very accurate, the shells came very close to us. One man was killed & 2 wounded of our Regt. One shell burst among the boys of our Battery wounding 5 more, killing one horse and wounding another of the Battery. At present our Corps. is about 2 miles from the River (Chattahoochie) we came here on the 6th inst. The rebs are about ½ mile in our front. They had very strong works, but left them and crossed the river on the night of the 9th. I was on picket at the time. On the morning of the 10th our picket advanced to the river and are now on one bank and the rebs on the other about 200 yards apart. It seems by all appearances that we will rest here for a while. Part of our Army is across the river. We sometimes hear some canonading in the direction where our men are across, but in front of us everything is quiet. The pickets swim together in the river, trade Tobacco, Coffee, etc. The weather here is quite fine only a little too warm. The troops are in good health and spirits. Rations are very good. I do not believe that soldiers have fared as good in an active Campaign as they do now.
I had a letter from Herman dated June 28th, no news in it at all, only that they were very busy at home. Henry had moved to his new farm. I suppose you have had a warm time of it during this Campaign. I have looked through all papers but have never seen anything of the 33rd Ill. in any of them. Since that I have seen that the 13th Ill. was temporarily discontinued and it was also reported that it had come to this Department but cannot find anything positive out about it. After I have heard of you again I suppose I will find out about it. I know of nothing else to write at present so I will close by giving you my best wished & respects.
Your Brother,
A. H. Fischer
Note: [1864] based on location of 105th Ill.
Letter to Frederick
