The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-08-13
A Real Boys Letter.

Comrade w. b. Smith. Co. X. 18th ILL.,,
Pasadena. Cal. sends us a letter written
when he was 10 years cd. and which his
mother recently discovered and gave him:
Alatoona. July the 4th, 1864.
Dear mother and father and sisters: II
is with pleasure that I sit down to write
you few lines to let you know that | an
well and in fine spirits. John Whites reg
iment came here to-day. John is we'll and
| was glad to see him. Sherman has got
Marietta. The cars will run there in 4
few days, as soon as the road is repaired.
The rebs nave left the mountain. Last
night there was a telegraph dispatch came
here stating that Gen. Joe Hooker and
Johnston were having a grand race for
Atlanta. Hooker was ahead. 1t is sup
posed that our men are in Atlanta by this
time. The firing is out of hearing. I
think the rebs are about played out. and If
they can't hold Sherman in the mountains,
which they have not done, they can't any
where. You ought to see the forts and
breastworks and rifle pits and strongholds
they have left. If we had such places to
fight in it looks to me like nothing could
move us. There is no use in talking, they
are gone up. l am glad l am in the army.
| don't want to come home till the war is
over. That will be as soon as the next
President is elected, and | hope it will be
day for the blamed speaking. 1 am GER
tain there will be fussing going on. If the
Copperheads do raise any fuss, | wish our
regiment could come up to Illinois and
fight them. 1t would be play. 1 hate
them worse than a reb. 1 know what he
is. The COpperheads are set of cow
ards, afraid to fight. All they do is carry
a revolver or knife and blow their horn
l don't think they will blow much to the
SnldiarS rhot hnma ba1 IN ha
away from home for the low-lived pups. I
would just as leave shoot one as a snake.
Is there much speaking going on about
the election, like it was last election? 1
hope not. l hope it will go off smooth and
nice. What did you do to-day: What did
you have for dinner: What do you think
| had? Bean soup, light bread, sowbelly
me. Do you think I did not like it? No,
l was hungry, and it tasted as good to me
as the best pies and cakes would at home.
And il you had been here you would not
heard any grumbling from me. AS long AZ
| am in the army serving my country [
don't expect better. Give me plenty of
that and l won't want for anything. L
will make it up when | get home. Charlie
Paine and III. are both we'll and in fine
spirits. the same as 1. There is some
talk &C us drawing pay before long. Now
write soon. Never fret for me, for l am
out in n good and just cause and all right.
Dad, vote for Lincoln. but don't election.
eer. That's what l despise. Union, right
or wrong. | was born to stand soldering.
From your affectionate soldier boy.
WIN. E. SMITH.
My love to all. Direct the same as
usual. l put this in the office the 9th.
Everything is going on all right and
very pleasant day. How is the garden
getting along? Has father got his new
nets done? Does he catch many fish? 1
am on commissary guard to-day. John
White is in fine spirits and all right. Send
me some stamps. l want to write to some
boys in the army. The cars are running
here thick. loaded with railroad iron and
timbers. Sherman is the man that can
keep the railroad right at his heels. He
is all right. Write soon. Is Dan Haskell
DISCHARGED yetI