Head Quarters 20^th Regt. Conn. Vols. In the woods some where in the state of Georgia

June 8^th 1864

Dear and beloved Daughter

It is with praise and heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God, that I am spared to write to you, at this time, in answer to a letter, that I received some time ago;  it found me well and I am to day:  I was on the march at the time and have not heard a word from home since that time until yesterday; I received two letters, one written May 15^th and one the 22^nd  Now a little about our moves  since we left Cowan, Tenn. We left there the 25^th of April and have been on the move and fighting most of the time since we left Look out Valley at the foot of Look out Mountain: on the morning of the 3^rd of May passed by Chattanooga and that night we camped on the Chickemauga battle field.  We were on the move: the remainder of this week: towards Dalton: the fighting commenced the 6^th of May, some of our corps was engaged the 8^th and some of it has been in most of the time since:  The rebels have held very strong positions at a number of different places; but have been obliged to leave them after strongly contesting the ground, our Army first met them at Stony face ridge; this was a very high mountain. and for a long ways the rocks, were straight up, and down, and many feet high: it was at a point on this mountain, that the 2^nd Division of the 20^th Corps under Gery made three successive charges: but were obliged to fall back with considerable loss but the desired object was finally accomplished; that was to draw the attention of the Rebs at this point. whilst other troops passed through a gap, more to their left. that being done: Gery’s men fell back and fortified our Division joined on the Gery’s left. this was Sunday the 8^th one week from that time our Regt was brought into the fight, and we had a pretty warm time of it.  I can tell you, the shell, grape, and canister, and rifle balls flew thick and fast but we were successful on that occasion and have been ever; and I hope and pray that our armys may continue on in the same way until this Rebellion is crushed: on the 19^th we came up with the enemy a gain and fought Him at Cassville in Cass Co. Georgia: here we whipped them again. we took the town our Regt was the first that entered the town, it was after dark about nine oclock when we went in. Horatio, an myself, were among the skirmishers, that went ahead of the Regt: As we went into the town we got well through the town. before we met any resistance; then we came upon the Johney’s skirmish line; and lay within ten rods of them all night. we could see them at work on their breast works; all the fore part of the night.  We kept up the skirmish till about mi dnight, when the firing ceased: and in the morning the Johneys had left so all that we had to do was to chase them up again.  We came up with them the next Wednesday and they were well prepared for us, they gave us a pretty bad pill at first, but they have got paid off by this time: We have had a hard fight here: but I think we are all right yet; I must close with much love to you all from your Father A.C. Smith

Copyright © 2009 Bruce E. Leandro. All rights reserved.