Transcription

Vicksburg March the 5th/64

Respected Brother

Well, Joe, you may think strange by me not writing before but when I received your letter we were laying 3 miles in the rear of this place.  I got your letter in the eavening just after we got the orders to be ready to march at daylight so I had not time to write then, we started on the third (ult) towards Jackson and the 2nd day our front began to skirmish with the rebs the next day heavy skirmishing in front and about 4 oclock P.M. they made a stand (Gen) Mcpherson, comdg, 17 Army Corps was on one road came up in line of battle and our Corps (16) und (Gen) Hulburt came up and tried to flank them but they got up skedadled so we marched down where the was standing and I had the Pleasure of seeing some of them with canon ball holes through their carcases and so until the 14th when we reached Meridian a distance of 175 miles we expected to have a big fight but it was no go   the would not stand.  Meridian is situated on the Rail Roads leading from Mobil Montgomery Canto & several othe Places through east to Atlanta Charleston & Richmond we tore up all the Roads there for 30 miles around    well we started back on the 20 and came to Canton and tore up railroad for three days there when we started for this Place which we reached yesterday after a scout on one month and one day marching 21 days traveling over 400 miles all on one cracker a day but we was in a good country for foraging  we lost several boys out of our Regt foraging one of our Co. by the name of John Ahrend and in all that round our (Regt) never was brought in action.  You ask if Co D was in the fight at Little Rock.  No they ‘spported the battery all day.  Joe how would you like to set for half an hour and hear the shells buzing over your head, the third days march from here we was setting down in the eavening about an hour by sun while the cavalry and artillery was fighting then the shells was buzing over our heads and the boys was laughing when the Adjutant came along and gave the order to go into camp that our front had been driven back  well we went into camp and the Colonel told us to enjoy our selves well, for we had to take the front in the morning.  Oh, but you better believe my heart beat then, but then how glad I was in the morning when the word came that the rebes had retreated and the road was clear.  Joe as to that land if you think it is worth the money and I can get a wife by the operation why by her and I will do all I can but you must tell me the terms and what I will have to do so as to meet the payments as their likeness I will send them as soon as I can get them but tell Miss Sarah she will have to send hers in return.  Tell her if she don’t write me a letter why I will write to her one of these days  I will answer all letters with Pleasur so write soon
                    This leave me well
                                                                   Hez