My dear parents:
Yours of 15th May has just come to hand – being first for some time.
I am very glad to learn that you at home are all once more well.
We are getting along at Carthage after our old fashion, except that the health of our regt. is very much improved: the boys seem almost as though they were an entirely different race than they were six weeks ago. The weather is very fine although pretty warm, and is now becoming somewhat dry – have had no rain for two week Strawberries were ripe some two weeks ago and cherries are now beginning to ripen, I doubt if you at home can beat this.
I suppose you have ere this heard of the death of Isaac Cooley: He died at Louisville, KY. I know nothing of the particulars of his death as he left here some weeks since and we had heard nothing concerning him until we heard that he was dead.
We have lately turned over our old guns and have been furnished with new ones – the Springfield Rifle – we thought we were fortunate in getting our old guns when we did, but they were mere squibs compared with our present arms: we now have the best & best finished guns in the division – said to be the best now manufactured. (Ed. Note: My wife, Caroline Wright, and I were born and raised in Northampton, Ma., twenty miles north of Springfield, Ma., where these rifles were produced, a manufacture location of rifles for the U.S. Army till after the first world war.)
We have also been furnished Shelter tents – “Dog houses” as the boys call them – they are very small about seven feet in length and three feet-six inches in width: each man has his tent and will be obliged to carry his house on his back when we march.
A rebel spy was hung here last week by order of Gen. Rosecrans; he was executed publicly in a large field; almost the entire division was present, but I did not attend the execution myself.
When does the conscription act take effect? There will probably be someone sent to Athens Co. to recruit for her two companies in the 92nd Regt. pretty soon. I have already stated my reasons in two of my last letters why we must have more men, consequently it is not necessary to state them here, but I do sincerely hope that who ever he may be, he may meet with many friends who will aid him in securing men.
The Rebs intercept our mail between this point and Gallitin every now and then, which makes us minus a good many letters.
Give my regards to Harry and tell him that I am very much obliged for his token of remembrance in the way of maple sugar: Tell him I never forget my old Bachelor friends. Tell John that he must not lose too much sleep these short nights. Have Scott’s folks heard from Andy yet?
I received a letter from Sarah the other day . Shall answer soon.
What will wool be worth this year? How much will you have? Tell George I hope I may soon leave the war, & come home. He must work hard this summer and raise plenty corn & potatoes & take good care of the lambs.
Much love to all
Affectionately
D. Putnam
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