September 1st, 1864 - Near Atlanta GA

September 1st, 1864 - Near Atlanta GA

Sept. 10, Could not write till today.

I will say a little more. We have about 540 men present - about 450 doing
duty. The recent battles will not make our permanent loss over 100, so that we have
left about 900 men. Half of them are of no account to us at present and a good many
never were and ever will be. Co. A has lots of well men along the R.R. lines who
won’t come to the front till made to come - perfect sneaks. I hate to say it, but
it is truth, and they are our recruits, with hardly an exception. They are
horrified at the idea of bullets and so make excuses or get detailed where bullets
don’t sing their requiem. Just so in the Co. with - a few never in a fight yet and
never mean to be if they can help it - sick or going to be, can hardly get them on
picket and when there they won’t fire a shot if they can help it. I have a perfect
contempt for such men. Don’t send any more such men down here. I am glad to say
not all our recruits are such cowards. There are some of them as good substantial,
reliable men as carry a musket. But it is a fact that 1 veteran is worth 3. Yes a
dozen such men as I first mentioned, but enough of this. We are both well. Hope
you will write often. Affectionately,

E.D. Levings