February 27th, 1864, Chattanooga, TN

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.
FEB. 27, 1864

My dear Parents:
   
Yours of 19th inst. has arrived.
   
The bag I found yesterday at the express office came on the morning train – molasses broken open – all out but about half pint – two other cans covers off but things not injured – it is a very fine box – fruit candy and cakes all of the first water. Nut candy best I ever saw or tasted. Cakes, - I only have to say of them that they are much lighter. Not quite so hard and sweeter than even gov. Hard Tack.  When I am eating some of the contents of the box I sometimes almost wish my neck something after the fashion  of a Crane’s – think I could enjoy myself hugely. I am very, very glad that the box came safely through and imagine I can now defy the scurvy for some time, as all the fruit is antiscorbutic.
Capt. Stearns who is rooming with me makes himself very agreeable. When I open a can or break off a small piece candy he hums about and reminds me of the cousins I once found on a certain tree while attempting to hive a swarm of bees.

 When I last wrote I expected to have been far from here ere this - I am still serving the machine here at Headquarters – have read no orders ordering me to the front – I have given up all hopes of being relieved from here soon. The division  left here on 22nd – can hear nothing definite from the front – they met the enemy between Ringgold and Tunnel Hill – drove them some distance. Rebs made a stand - , had some severe fighting, drove the enemy beyond Tunnel Hill and within three miles of Dalton. Wounded are being brought in as fast as possible. I understand our Brigade has been hotly engaged – 92nd particularly – loss considerable – have heard no particulars today – do not know the loss of Co. A. Will write again as soon as news arrives. The 92nd has been in another fight and I was not with them, Oh, why couldn’t they have released me from here in time to go with them. I did all I could to be with them but the powers that be assigned me to other work, so I suppose I must be contented.

 In my last letter I sent a photo of Gen. Baind. I now enclose another photo. You will notice that he (Gen. Thomas or some other person) seems to be in remarkably poor health.

I see by paper that Coz. Mary is married to a soldier, good for her , she is patriotic – “wont join(?) the ranks of the militia”.

Chattanooga has changed much since the cars have been running through-

resembles one of the most business parts of Cin. I stood by the depot a few days since and from standpoint counted twelve locomotive and cars in proportion. There is one regt. colored gentlemen here – look like old veterans.

              Very affectionately,
                             David Putnam

Feb. 28th News from front this morning states that 92nd lost but few  - none killed in Co. A.                                             D. Putnam