Atlanta Ga.

September 23rd, 1864

Cousin Lou,

One week has passed rapidly away since the reception of your most welcome letter of Sept. 4th. Since our camping near Atlanta we have been busier in many respects than when upon that long & arduous campaign, which ended in giving us possession of this very important point within the former lines of the "bogus" Confederacy. It owes its importance not alone to its being a place of large manufacturing interests. Heavy & small arms were made here, as also Ammunition & Material for Confederate Uniform. But, besides all this, the importance of it lies in its being the connecting point upon the main Rail-Roads leading from the Mississippi River to the Rebel Capital & the Atlantic Coast.

We have been here more than two weeks and yet, I have not found time to visit the city or the Rebel Works by which it was encircled.

Two days ago our Regt. escorted the 1st Regt. Wis. Vol. to the Depot, their term of service having expired. That Regt. & ours has served in the same Brigade ever since we first entered the service. Thus has another link in our Military Family been broken. Thus one by one, they are going from the field to their Happy Homes--we remain, hoping soon to see the end of this wicked Rebellion, when we too shall grasp the warm hand of warmer friendship freely extended us by those our "dear friends" who have remained at the "family fireside", watching & waiting eagerly & anxiously for our safe, speedy & honorable return to make one of that happy circle, and also to bow our knees to the Father of Mercies around the Family Alter as has been our want in the happy, peaceful times gone by. The only part of town we saw being near the Depot, and we having to look at it as we passed by, of course I cannot tell you much about it. This also was the part against which most of our shells were directed as well as a great deal of hot shot. And I tell you, it gave fearful evidence to the rebels of the accuracy of the aim of our gunners, the public buildings being literally riddled with shot & shell around the Depot. We saw very few pavements. The building were much scattered. Gen. Sherman, when we obtained possession of the town, issued an Order sending all disloyal persons Male & Female through our lines to those of the Rebel South. The last of them were sent through yesterday. All Loyal people (among who was the captured Mayor of the town his name is Calhoun) who could not support themselves are also being sent north. Thus you may see that Gen. Sherman wants no civilian here within his lines to consume the produce of the country or eat up the supplies brought forward by his Communications. He wants all these things for the exclusive use of his Army. Mr. Andrews & John C. Rutter are with the Regt. & very well. We have just read a Dispatch from Secretary Stanton giving us the cheering news of Gen. Sheridan's victory over the Rebels Early & Breckenridge near Winchester. Sending kindest regards to all I am sincerely your cousin

William

Atlanta Ga. Co. B 79th Penna. Vols.

N.B. Excuse my delay & let me hear from you soon. W.T.C.

P.S. I have said nothing about the fight for the possession of Atlanta knowing that you would see the accounts of many correspondents concerning it. I will only add that the (?) Corps. (ours) (?) heavy in the hard fighting and that on Sept. 1st it was indeed a bloody day for us & with three hours more day light we would have captured a whole Corp. - Hardee's. Yours &c., W.T.C.