Date: July 14, 1864
Author: John Yates
Addressee: Elizabeth Roberson Yates
Location: North the Chattahoochee River
Description/Summary:

[This is the 4th day of rest for John and his fellows of the 38th Indiana after 65 straight tough days from Chattanooga; it seems like they have plenty to eat, they are getting rest, good rumors are flying and then there is mail call. Our John received a great letter from his wife which he answers. It is not clear if he has been on night duty and decided to sleep or napping in preparation for night duty. In any case, John crawls into his tent, pulls up his blanket, drifts off to sleep, a rouge storm arrives and then dies when a tree falls onto his tent. This is his last letter.......]

John is writing this letter on Thursday July 14, 1864 near the Chattahoochee River, 7 miles from Atlanta, GA. John says he was glad to receive her letter of July 7, 1864 but sorry that she was taking his hardships too much to heart. He says he can say and tell the truth that he is in the best health that he has had for several years. He says they have been in this camp now for 4 days which is the longest stop in over 65 days. He says the report this very morning is that the Rebels have once again left their positions or perhaps all but a few. The thinking is that if they are gone now they have left to go towards Richmond, VA to try old U.S. Grant but they hope that they will be able to counteract all that movement for it is also stated that Old Fighting Joe Hooker has gone to the same place.

John remarks that Elizabeth has told him her crops look good and he is pleased. He tells Elizabeth that he wants her to make sure they take care of the grass in the meadow for if there is a prospect of the war ending he wants to get another yoke for the boys so they can break another set of calves, he wants her to stick with all the stock that she can because the prices will be very high after this war is over. The 38th Indiana Volunteers have lost 36 men killed and wounded, 6 killed and 30 wounded; we had 2 killed out of 6, John A. Bliss and William H. Purcell, he was a new recruit and a good soldier and fell for a good cause and now he has gone to a better world I hope.

John is telling Elizabeth that he and George have changed around their messmates; he is messing with James Seaton and John is messing with Cyrus Benham and James Borer. He wants Elizabeth to know that she shouldn't think that John and George had had a falling out; they just have some new comrades. John wants Elizabeth to tell Polly Ann Benham that he has seen Jo [Benham?] a couple times and he is fat and hardy. He says he has already written all he knows about Harve's problem, he has not seen him since he wrote that last letter to her which she has not yet received. He wanted to say that he received the tobacco that she sent; he could sell it for two dollars if he wanted to but he can't share it divided with all the boys.

John seems to be trying to explain that regardless of what the Confederacy might say the soldiers have worked hard and will continue to fight until there is an unconditional surrender to preserve the Union. John states that to make any other proposal constitutes being a traitor to your country and a willingness to sell out one's principles. He closes for now but hopes to hear from her every week. PS. He wants his respects passed on to his neighbors and friends and leaves off with what seems to be a hurrah! for Abe and Andy.

John Yates July 14, 1864
John Yates July 14, 1864
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