"
A member of the battery, who was an exceptional soldier, and who still
cherishes and venerates everything that reminds him of the glorious
past, has kindly placed in my hands some letters which I am permitted
to copy and here subjoin, feeling sure that they will prove quite as
interesting as the numerous documents of the kind published in the
"lives" of those high in authority, although they contain only the
experience of a young private soldier, conveyed in dutiful letters to
his mother. Some of these will suggest the changes which befell the
soldiers who gave the house-warming in Virginia, and the difference
between the first and last years of the war.
"NEAR NEW HOPE CHURCH, GEORGIA,
"May 26, 1864.
"MY DEAR,--Knowing that you will be anxious to hear from me and the
company after the late fight, I avail myself of the first
opportunity to write. Stewart's Division of Hood's Corps arrived in
the vicinity of the Church yesterday morning. Soon after skirmishes
commenced, moving a mile off, and gradually approached us. By 3
p.m. it commenced to near us, and 5 p.m. found us galloping into
position.
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