28 



and Macon ER which I suppose the rebs can not run their 

 trains on now as we are within canon shot range there- 

 fore they have no RR to get out on, and only an open 

 space from Macon and Atlanta Road to the Atlanta and 

 Decatur Road the distance you can measure on you map. 

 "We have very good earth works all around our front 

 and I suppose Sherman's intention is to keep lapping 

 around them and if they will stay long enough finally to 

 get them surrounded but that is only a vain hope we have 

 as it is a very difficult matter to surround an army but 

 if we succeed we will make a big haul wlien they sur- 

 render. This campaign has been a series of skirmishes and 

 battles the rebs would halt and form a line of works then 

 we would have to skirmish up within musket range of 

 their works and build works under heavy fire of Artillery 

 and small arms. The lofses of the armies both of rebel and 

 ours have been very large since this campaign begun but 

 I know the rebel lofs is the greatest. Genrl McPherson 

 was killed on the 22ond of July w^hen his three corps 

 the 15" 16" & 17" had a very hard fight here getting into 

 position. Total union lofs in wounded killed and mifsing 

 three thousand five hundred (3500) and ten (10) pieces 

 of Artillery Rebel lofs prisoner's captures 3200 knoAvn 

 dead of the enemy in front of the 15" 16" and one Division 

 of the ITCorps 2142 The other divsion of the 17 Corps 

 repulsed six assaults of the enemy before it fell back wich 

 will swell the lofs in killed to at least 3000 after the fight 

 we held the field then figures are official also captures (18) 

 stands of colors and (5000) stand of Arms. On the 20" 

 of July the 20" Corps One Division of the 4" Corps and 

 part of the 14" Corps was engaged. Total union lofs in 

 killed wounded and mifsing 1733. In front of the 20" 

 Corps there were put out of the fight (6000) rebels. 563 

 were buried by our own men rebs permitted to bury' 250 

 additional themselves. 2 Division 4" Corps reported seven 

 assaults of the enemy and slight lofs to themselves which 

 must swell the rebel lofs beyond 6000. Prisoners cap- 

 tures 300 and seven stands of colors. No report has been 

 receivedfrom the part taken by the 14" AC this is all 

 Official Today finishes my first three years, when I went 

 into the services I had no idea that I would be in service 

 in /64. You say wheat crop is good Oats excellent and 



