September 18th, 1864 - Camp near Atlanta, Ga

September 18th, 1864 - Camp near Atlanta, Ga

Dear Parents,

It has been a long time since I have had the pleasure of writing to you,
but I hope that we will have the privilege of writing, to you now, for a while at
least, thought I do not expect that we shall lay here long. I do not propose to
write any news however for Ed has told you everything. It is Sunday and everything
quiet, we are having a nice shower at the present time; it reminds that the rainy
season is upon us again. It will be bad. I think, for this army without tents, and
exposed to all kinds of weather. I see a good many of the boys are coming down with
the ague again, it is a dreadful sickness. Ed told you to send me some alum but I
shall not need it now, for I have some since, he wrote. We rec’d yours of the 29th
ult. last night, it must have been delayed some where, for we have had letters of a
later date. You speak of buying Commodore's team, I think by the description you
gave of them that it would be a good piece of property to own, but I suppose it
would be necessary to dispose of the mare and colt and I do not suppose that it
would be a very easy matter while the fear of the draft prevails. I see that a good
many of the papers anxious to have the draft postponed so that the quotas may be
filled by volunteering. I think that it is the worst thing that can be done, for it
gives those miserable cowards and copperheads, a chance to stay at home, while if
there was a draft they would stand a chance come into the field well as the rest.

19th.

Homer says to me close his letter for him, as he does not feel first rate
this afternoon I will add a word or so.
We expect to be paid this week. Whether we shall receive any installments of
bounty, I can not tell.
You speak of Commodore’s horses, if they suit you and you could do better by
buying them than keeping the mare and cold, then you should make the trade. Were I
you, I would make the trade, if I thought I could better myself by so doing. We can
soon aid you with what money you want for that purpose, or anything else.
Every body in the army now, the Tenn. army, at least, is in confident mood
as to speedy end of the rebellion. All the talk is about the elections and the
military campaigns. Maine and Vermont have given heavy Union Majorities and it is
believed the other states will do likewise. Lincoln and Johnson’s election is
looked upon now with far more confidence than while ago. The hellish designs of the
Peach Democracy and Copperheads are clearly understood. We know what they intend.
The Chicago platform of these men is a very nice thing on the outside. The Union
they mean is the “union as it was,” that is, with Slavery which is to again resume
sway over the nation. McClellan says he will make the constitution and the laws the
rule of his conduct “Get, he know that to outset the limit - of the constitution as
Mr. Lincoln is doing, will crush the rebellion forever. We know this is the only
and right way to do it, but for the sake of policy, the interest of the Democracy,
both North and South, that it may rise into power, he pledges himself to make it
appear that a Union on the basis of dishonorable peace, though they do not say so,
is far better than that the war should go on till the rebels are made to accept our
own terms and the Union is thus preserved. Their platform is only a mask of their
real designs. We are in good peril. We have delayed these letters longer than
intended. Write soon. Yours affectionately,

E. D. and H. M. Levings