June 8th, 1864 - Loring's Division Hospital, near Marietta, Ga

June 8th, 1864 - Loring's Division Hospital, near Marietta, Ga

My Dear Wife,

Our Hospt. has been moved four or five miles nearer Marietta since I wrote you last. We have had as yet no regular engagement. Featherston's Brig. skirmishers charged the enemy's skirmishers in their pits on the 31st May on which occasion our Regt. lost 45 killed & wounded. Eight were killed on the field & nearly as many more mortally wounded. Comp. I, had none killed. The following were wounded, Frank Robinson, flesh wound in arm. Thos. Shield, arm, one bone broken, the arm will be saved. Aron Beal, arm, flesh wound. Guest, arm, flesh. George Jones, hand, lost one finger. George H. Jones (Bettie's George) ear, very slightly. A.T. Brown, ear, slight. Mich Durden, ear slight. William Hair, neck & under jaw fractured, rather ugly wound though he will recover, the jaw will be some what injured. Sam Benton, through right lung, a very dangerous wound though I hope he will get well, he has such spirit & determination. Lt. Col. Harrod was shot through the right hand & knee, amputated above knee. All of our wounded were doing well when I heard from them last which was several days ago. I saw your Bro. Nick a few days since. He was well. He passed our Hospt. Will was well but not with any command just now for want of a horse. I know you are anxious to learn what we are doing or going to do here. I am sorry it is not in my power to give you information. We have been right here in line of battle for two weeks night & day, the men in the ditches all the time rain or shine. There has been but little change. The enemy has been moving slowly to our right & we have moved in that direction to meet him. Soldiers are having a hard time but they hold up finely & keep in high spirits. The enemy evidently fear to make a direct attack upon us. They continue moving around trying to flank. I wish they would make the attack for I confidently believe with the favor & help of the great builder of heaven & earth we shall be successful. I long & pray for an end of the bloody scenes through which we are now passing. I feel that we should all humble ourselves before Almighty God and earnestly ask him to deliver us from our present trials & afflictions. We should look to Him as our deliverer. In your last you expressed fear that I was less devoted than formerly. If I am less humble before God, or my faith & trust in his promises less, I am not aware of it, though I desire you always to pray that my faith & devotion may be strengthened & increased. I also trust & pray that you may enjoy an abundance of grace & that you may be exempt as well as teach those who are in your charge, children & servants, to love & serve God. You made apology for telling me some of your troubles. I hope hereafter you will not keep from me even your smallest troubles for I desire to share with you all your pleasures & griefs. I am the one to whom you should unhesitatingly unbosom your self and divulge whatever may be giving you sorrow. There is at least some little relief in telling our griefs to those from whom we may expect sympathy. Try as I requested you when at home not to be sad. Grief & disponding will injure your health & I do hope you will be careful to protect that by every means possible. In every letter let me know precisely how you are. In my last I advised you to take the fluid extract of birch which you can get by sending to Memphis. Get three or four bottles or the infusion tea of birch leaves or the infusion of ? ? or both mixed. I think likely you will find some of these leaves in my office. If you can they will answer the same purpose of the fluid ext. birch, though not altogether so good. The leaves if any are likely too old to be much account. Take spts. niter with any of the above preparations if you have it. Also take occasionally a dose of salts, warm baths will probably relieve you when suffering much or take a little morphia if in much pain. Take from three to five times a day for several weeks or until entirely relieved. The above prescription is for the disease for which you wrote me. You seem anxious that I should resign. I do not blame you but I don't think I should do so at present. I can't tell what may be my opinion after this campaign is over, but I don't wish you to make the least calculation on my resigning this year, though I expect to be home on furlough sometime during the summer. You must not attempt to visit me until I let you know you can do so. You couldn't get here now if you were to try and if you have my coat in fashion short waist & very long shirt.

You may address me at Marietta, Ga., or Atlanta, Featherston's Brig., Loring's Division, Polks Corps

William B. Wall