Slater, William – September 5, 1864

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/slater-william/
Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Company Head Quarters, First Reg. Michigan Engineers and Mechanics Co F                Sep 5th Camp Tillton Jones County Georgia 1864 From Wm Slater to Miss Ann Clark I do take pleasure to adress a few lines to you as it gives me great pleasure I keep riting but you can not get them as our com munication is c[  ?  ] the report is they are fighting at Bridge Port Alabama ware your ring was maid I have got a nother shell wich I intend to make you another one I got the shell out of Ostunela River Jones County Georgia I will make it as soon as I get round to it you must have a little patience and it will work round and I am sorry to say that we got five new recuits in our company last sunday so we dont look no more for home this fall so I have to give it up as I am contented to stay till my time should come as I can come home contented and stay there there is good nouse come to us as Atlanta and [  ?  ] if it only be true Sept 6th the report that the rebbell Harmy is out in two and if that be true I think that we shall have to look hont for our slves I persume that they have maid a great rode on some of the roads for all our communications is entirely cut off we cant send any mail nor get none but I am in hopes that it will be soon fixed as it does seem berry lonesome with out the corsponine we have had a large order for rail roads ties to get out we are trying to get new goons and pay for them our selves and they will cost forty dollars they will shoot seventeen times alone londing they call them the Henry rifle and if they will alow us to carriy them they will be private property we are all of the company going in for them with the exceptions of few I have not much to say at preasant till I get a letter from you nor I do not no when you will get them but I hope not long for they cause a gred deal of confusion as they think as we are not as good as they are and we do think as we am as good as ever they ware and nose as much as thy do and I only hope and trust you take pleasure in seeing that the children doe atend the scholl regular for it is the best thing as they can do I feel for them verry much and see as no one does abuse them and get them a diss liking to it for it is a verry bad thing as I find with wat little I have goit comes in verry use fully for a great deal of my spare time I do right for some other and I see ware the loss is to them I have seen more since I have been in the Army then ever I did before as one to let every on in there sevrets and thy have [   ?   ] deal of coakising to get there letters rote and thy cant rite just when they do want to do as I do think a great deal of my small learning we keep verry quiet from the rebbs I have just hear + that there is two hundred on the other side of the Ostonula River they rebs overing round us I supose that we will have a dush before long but the seem to be afraid of [   ?   ] to enter but we are not strongly guarded not so stong as we ought to be there is some little [illegible; faded next two lines] for this time by saying lonely wish you may have luck and see if you cant make a good trade or sell the plase at a good advantage so as I can better my selfe so [     ?     ] yours trily William Slater First Mich Eng + Mecaniks C. F Nashville Tennasee and give my respects to all inquiry friends and as I reman yours forever more Wm Slater [On Envelope:] Miss Ann Clark Northville Bo 181 Wayne County Michigan