Year: 1864

letter to a friend, written by the Colonel
commanding the regiment:


HEADqu ARTERs lsT Tenn. CAyALRYD


On the banks of the Chattahooch-e


July l6, 1864. i
Yiris hastily written letter leaves me on the banks
T the Chattahoochcc, eighteen miles from the city
"f Atlanta, in excellent spirits, and enjoying fine
health. The health of my men was never better;
and although they would prefer going to the rear to
bo rc-mounted, they are perfectly contonted None
arc home Sick but all satisfied with our condi-
ton All is harmony and good feeling in our rcc-
lnaltFnd no harsh words is uttered by one to anoh
W We have about $40 men left all told. as brave
and generous Il set of men as belong to anv COM
inand.


We scarcely ever stay more than two or three
nights in the same situation or locality Day before
yesterday we moved from the left to the RIGHT Last
week we were detached to guard 'Cochrans Ford"
'h te extreme right The river here is very shall
low, and we have to be on the alort night and dav.
WAS glad to have the position from the fact that it
was locality where soldiers had ever been. and
wa consequently could live on the fat of tho land"
We have potatoes, berries honey and chickens for
IN*ry every meal. There five larre ish-traps
sithk ford and the river furnishes an abundance of
nan. However, we can only get them by visiting
the trap under cover of night.
Directly opposite to us is rebel post The day
lsforc we ordered To leave this post | ordered
Capt. Moses Wiley, with two companies, to strip
themselves and to be ready to and charge the
cssmy at the ford, whilst would take select de-
tachmcnt Of men and swim the rivor four hundred
yards above, for the purpose of capturing the rebel
pickes. selected the best swimmers in the rcgi-
mcnt put our guns in canoe and started over. As
as Capt Wiley saw that l had nearly reached
the opposite shore charged very bravey, but missing
the ford, when half way over he and every man
went plunging in over their heads, and just then
the rebels opened fire upon them, and compelled
every man to seek shelter under the large rocks in
the river as best they could. Capt Wiley now
in such a condition as to be unable to advance or
retreat and unfortunately left me and my ten men
On the enemies side of the river without help, and
with prospect Of going to Atlanta sooner than We
desired destitute of even so much as shirt. Not
&ncying this, and acting upon tho the maxim that
.he who never bets never wins determined to
charge upon the rear of the rebels, who firing
at Wileys party. My charge was success, COM
r.s<ey surprised them and took them prisoners, and
with them captured long forry-boat, and returned
to my command. The Sergeant in command of the
rubels was New York Dentist, who told me that
ie had been living in the South but short time
He said he never more surprised, and did not
think any person was bold enough to swim river
and attack them Gen. Sherman is said to have
leen pleased with exploits and tho Especial
Artist for Harpers Weekly has prepared sketch
Of cur charging the Chattahoochee.


now weigh but 1856 pounds You see that
have been reduced in flesh, but my flesh is perfectly
firm, and my health never was better. l am Sc
much sun-burnt that lcok more like an Indian
than white man. have good crackers bacon
and boans to eat-go to bed at SUNSET unless on the
march, get up before sunrise, and sleep in the oper
air. enjoying the luxurious climate of the "Sunny
South"


We'll. don't know what you will think Of this
letter. have already been interrupted four tme
.nce began it, with fair prospect of having thu
dosa repeated before close. finish on a beautiful
moon.lit Sunday night, and as the Chaplain is pay
ing us visit, stop writing to collect my command
together, and attend to preaching: must confess
that everything taken together, Iiget little 'hom
Nck.n Here is congregation of men who, for NOR
than two years. have been accustomedto every hard
ship, and to all the dangers of the soldiers life
whose only music ftr the last two months has beef