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Wayne County Letters

Wayne County Letters

Old Civil War Letter.

Camp Western Sharp Shooters, 66th Reg. Ill. Vet. Vol. Bg Shanty Station Ga., June 17th, 1864.
Wm. M. Lewis.
   Dear Brother in Christ:—I take up my pen this evening and according to promise to write you a few lines—as the sword and rifle seem to be laid aside and given place to what is frequently called the more powerful instrument, (the pen.) Truly, we have had a hard time of it since we left Pulaski, (Tenn.) more than a month and a half ago; we have been under arms ever since; we have marched by day and by night; we have fought almost the same way or nearly all hours of the night. We have been in places which looked it was impossible to get out, but Heaven be praised, we have lost comparatively few men since we have been out. 
   Our regiment has been at the front all the time till about the 6th inst., since which time we have rather been in reserve having been engaged so many times and lost so many officers especially. We stopped at Ackworth, which is about four miles above here, two or three days, after the Rebels evacuated their strong works in front of Dallas.
   You have heard ere this that my brother Will was killed in a charge made by the Rebels on the 28th, ult. This seems a loss to me indeed, but I know the effects of war and don't know what minute I may meet the same fate—alas! our Loved Land is being drenched with blood! scarcely  a household but has lost a loved one, and our people clad in the habilaments of mourning — but those who live to see its close can realize the blessings of Peace and good government, having shed our own blood to purchase it. O! May Heaven grant that Peace may soon dawn on our beloved land, that we may have the privilege of enjoying good society once more. 
   I am quite certain, (in my own mind) that this is to be the last year of the war—for different reasons. Prisoners and deserters are coming in by the hundreds. They report Johnston's army is demoralized and that many—even one
whole Brigade said they wonld not cross the Chattahoochie River. Some nights and even in daylight, whole Co's officers and all come in at once; they say Johnston made them a speech a few days ago and told them we had but one day's rations and that they had cut off our communications; then he left them and had been gone but a few minutes when they heard the whistle of our locomotive, while they could look over their breastworks off their mountain and see our train. Then they said the men begun to swear and curse the officers. The Rebels have a considerable force and they are in a good position, but Sherman has too many men for them. They cannot hold this place.
   Hooker at this time is away off on the right fighting them and has taken a number of them prisoners and I understand has gained what he wanted to in the way of position and my opinion is the Rebs. will not be here in our front five days longer, thought I may be mistaken in this. Large trains of cars run daily to this place and I suppose at one sight I can see three thousand wagons or more waiting to carry provisions to the troops from the depots. The whole thing presents a lively aspect. The boys are jubilant over late successes both here and in the East under U. S. Grant and all seem to be in fine spirits and anxious to meet the Rebels to good government. Now I must close for fear that I have not made this interesting. My regards to the family. My health is not very good. I remain yours in the Christian's Hope,
           GEORGE L. CHILDRESS.
   Address
Co. "I", 66th Ill. Vet Vol., 2nd Brigade, 2nd Div. 16th A. C.
Chattanooga, Tenn.

(Editors Note—The foregoing letter, written by the father of the Press editor during the civil war, was presented to us by Dr. H. V. Lewis, of Lawrenceville, on July 5th, 1917, fifty three years and three weeks after it was written. It was found recently among the personal effects of Dr. Lewis's father, who was the addressee in the letter. On the same day we received this letter we spent an hour visiting Mrs. Harriet Childress, the widow of Will Childress, mention of whose death is made in the letter, now living in Mount Carmel, Ill., also an hour at the home of a son, Al. Childress in Mt. Carmel.)

Wayne County Illinois Press
August 16, 1917
Pg. 3 Col. 1

Submitted by Betty Beeson

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FADED INTO THE MISTS OF TIME