MS 755 - Brigham Family Papers Transcripts (August - November 1864)

August 8, 1864

(----) 2es (?) 69th 0,0,0,0
Aug. 8th 64

Dear Edna

I red your letters, mailed July 4th & 12th yesterday. I was glad to get them, but would have preferred some of a later date I do not know as I can write anything that will interest you this morning I was out in charge of a fateful party last night We were building fortifications upon the front line, I caught a cold and have the (--------) this morning Which does not brighten ones intellect you know. There was some fighting upon the right yesterday. Last night about ten oc'l'k there was the heaviest musketry firing over there that I ever heard I have not heard how it effected either side the 38th 100 & 111th O,O,S are over there. Whether any of our friends or acquaintances have been injured or not, I cannot tell. I think from your description of your ride, and (-----) that the horse must have been cooled off. And it's a wonder that he ever got warm again. Perhaps I will get you a riding horse white gloves Etc some time. I do not think you would take care of one now. If M- ever saw me smoke a pipe, She must have been in our room as I never smoked a pipe upon the streets in daylight - and only once in the night. If she were down here She might see me smoke a pipe every day Cigars have "played out" here I am a firm disciple of the hydropach persuasion And if you are still unwell I would like to have you go to Mrs Ws - If you go get all the information about the system, that you can, so that you can make use of it yourself afterwards I hope we will get somewhere sometime so that I will not hear bullets whistling past my head at all hours of the day & night, Please give my love to all,

I am "D1969gf"(?)
2458A TESER (?)
JHB

September 9, 1864

Red 2es 69th O,O,O,O
Atlanta, Ga

Sept 9th/64

Dear Edna

You perceive by the heading of this letter that I am writing from the former city of invulnerability Our regt reached the city yesterday, where I joined them and found two letters from you & one from your father awaiting me I was greatly pleased to get them as I had heard nothing from home for a long time I was not in the late battle having been sent to Chattanooga before the movement commenced and it was impossible to rejoin the command before the fight as all communication was cut off It was a brilliant victory, but was purchased with the lives & limbs of many brave men - The 69th lost three officers & forty three men the boys all say that if I had been there that I would have been killed (---) as they were near enough to pick out such chaps as myself & (-----------------------------------------------------------) very glad (------) not them. Although I would like to share the glory (---) Albert Falconer was shot dead on the very day that his time expired. It will be a terrible blow to that afflicted family which already had two soldiers graves. It will be impossible for them to get his body at present. I cannot send you any particulars this time but I tell you all I know in my next. Don't tell Mrs (-----) what you almost told me - I presume you have money by this time and I will try to keep your purse in a better (--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------) their virtue as (------) the decline in WL (-----) think there is one woman then the wife cannot be trifled with Eh? There are some very pretty women here but I shall not disturb them. Haven is here and all right I will write to you & father again soon Give my love to all

I am (----)
Yours Ect

JHB

November 2, 1864

Chattanooga, Tenn
Nov 2nd/64

Dear Eddie

It is wet and gloomy to day. I have a bad cold and do not feel very well myself but nevertheless not withstanding will write you a few lines "in my weak and feeble (-----)" I am quietly located in comfortable quarters at this post. I do not know how long I shall remain but will go to the Regt as soon as possible There are some important movements on foot and various rumors afloat: I do not know what is contemplated but I hope that the rebels will receive a "staggering blow" in an unexpected quarter. We will wait and see! There are at this time several hundred refugees in town on their way north. They are a miserable set, dirty, lousy, and shameless. The women make the children put their heads out of the windows and they/ the mothers, comb the lice out on the ground. They do not trouble themselves to take the children to the privy The old women take their little ones by the back of the neck raise the window and set them out and - all right If the peoplr of the north could see their wretched condition they would have a better idea of the "horrors of war." I saw Al Smith Monday. He was well. Haven is all right I am very anxious to hear from you and think of you all the time Capt Wicks is here with me we got a letter form his wife to day wish I had been as fortunate. I have been restless and disenchanted since I left home. The lose time seems as is I must come home before many months. It is getting dark and I will close Give my love to all.

Yours Affectionately

JHB