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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