CHATTANOOGA, TENN.
Feb. 8, 1864
My dear Parents
One more week is numbered with the past and yet no word from home, except a Messenger and an Independent which is next to a letter. I have been reading Mr. Beecher’s sermon this morning, wherein he discourses at some length upon the Character and Reputation of man; I think it a Master sermon and was very much interested in it.
We have no preaching in camp now – our Chaplains have all, or most all, either resigned, been discharged or played out – dont believe they do much good in the army anyhow, as they are generally pretty rough cases, and second or third rate men at the best – there are however few, very good and energetic men among them; they perhaps are a blessing to us.
The 92nd has been assigned to the duty of disinterring the bodies of the soldiers buried in and about this place, including those who fell at Chickamauga, and transferring them to the new cemetery which is located on a beautiful knoll, about three fourths of a mile southeast of Chattanooga, where at some future time Gen. Grant proposes to erect a suitable monument: all the labor to be done by the soldiers of the Army of the Cumberland. It is very disagreeable, some bodies having been buried nearly four months. It is estimated that there are from three to five thousand bodies to move, and if our Regt. has no assistance it will take them at least three months to accomplish the task.
The Rebs have withdrawn their forces from our immediate front – they have evacuated Dalton; I suppose the movement was executed principally because of the immense number of men who were daily deserting from the sinking ship which is unable to stem the storm of patriotism raging in the bosoms of Blue Coats – while her decks are so heavily ladened (sic) with her cargo of Chivalry. Large numbers of refugees are continually arriving from the vicinity of Knoxville – having been ejected from that part of the country by the provost marshal. They are indeed a poor wretched appearing set of mortals. A large depot stored with clothing was burned at this place last night – cause of fire not yet known – loss supposed to be above $100,000.
I am still with the provost guard – have been for the last week acting Provost Marshal of the Div. during Capt. Johnson’s absence – don’t know when I shall be able to rejoin the 92nd – talked with the Gen. about being released – he said perhaps he would let me off and perhaps not.
We are having very fine weather. I expect some boys up north will have a severe run of Spring fever between this and 10th of March. 500,000 men!! Good! Hope it won’t dwindle again down to a few companies of volunteers. Recruits are coming in daily – our Regt. is getting her proportion; Co. A has rec’d six new recruits and six transferred from the 17th O.V.I. – they are some who would not reenlist – twelve in all for Co. A – begins to look somewhat as she did in Kanawha Valley. Jont Smith and Will Russell joined the Co. this week; they are both looking well. Matt and Frank are suffering with a slight attack of scurvy – are able to be about – caused by absence of vegetable diet – there will be considerable suffering from this disease if the army is not provided with more vegetables soon. I am very well, never felt better in my life – don’t know but I would feel a little extra if I could see the 500,000 in the field.
Am sorry to learn of Proff. Guthares death.
Much love to all
Aff. your son
D. Putnam
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