This is a transcription of the letter written by John Aten, brother of Henry J. Aten, to President Lincoln during his service in the Civil War. His complaints echo similar accounts of the way rations were handled in the Civil War.

North Chickamonga, Tenn.

                                                                                                December 24 th '63

Mr. President,

I venture a word to your honor. I left a good home and kind parents near 18 months since and enlisted in the army knowing it to be a life of hardship and danger. Since then we have been in several battles, Perrysville, Stone River, Chickamonga and the late battle of Chattanooga and we have marched as far as any of the troops of the department. We don't fear the battle, Neither do we dread any duty but there is one thing we don't like, that is scanty clothes and short rations. Since the battle of Orrisiona Ridge our briggade has marched near 250 miles taking 24 days. In that time the boys was almost naked, a said number of them barefooted. All that time our officers promises us clothing plenty and good rations as soon as we get back to camp. And when we got it, it was 3 overcoats 3 shirts 10 pair of pants and no drawers to a company when they nearly all needed a full suit, and our ration is very short only drawing bread coffee sugar and a little meat, just enough to let a man go hungry all day. two crackers per day which is not enough for anyone. I believe there was rice and beans at the commissary the other day but we did not get them. They were sold to the officers, Now I do want better rations or a leave of absence for about 30 days so I can feed up a little.

Excuse me for taking the liberty of addressing you and please give me an answer

I remain your most obedient

                                                                   John Aten

                                                                                                Co G 85th Regt.

                                                                                      Ills. Vol. Inf.

Since writing the above we have drew two days rations of rice and beans and how much do you think we got. I will tell you. They was divided two messes of ten men and each mess got the pitiful sum of one half pint.

This is a true statement. I am afraid we will have to starve or quit the business which we don't want to do.

Yours Truly

                                                                                    John Aten