Chattanooga, Tenn.
Jan. 18 1864
My dear parents
I have not received a letter from home since my last, yet one week has passed since I last wrote, and to save a partially bankrupt credit from total ruin I must dispatch another draft for Hickory Glade and Co.
We are doing very well here at Chattanooga, the same old monotony of inactive camp life – nothing new except the cars are making regular trips between this and Nashville, three trains arriving daily and the boys are getting full rations – the first since the battle of Chicamauga the 19th of Sept.,1863 notwithstanding to the contrary the many newspaper commentaries. It would have done you good to have heard the cheers and seen the happy faces in this army on the first arrival of the trains.
You say you believe the rebels are about “cornered”, and their cause on its last legs. Well, I doubt, I believe they are preparing their army for a vigorous resistance of our further advance and that the approaching campaign will be the bloodiest of the war so far. In confirmation of these assertions I simply refer to the unanimous statements of deserters who are daily coming into our lines; they all say the enemy is working day and night to strengthen his armies, is conscripting all – sending the old and infirm to the rear to do garrison and guard duty and thereby relieve their old soldiers, who with their able bodied conscripted fellows and are immediately transferred to the front, by such means the Rebel Government expect to have at its command by the opening of the spring campaign the most powerful army which has yet been in the field. How does the inactivity, slowness and evident hesitation of our own government compare with the efforts and actions of the enemy? I claim that the government at Washington has acted bad faith toward the soldiers of the US and the soldiers know it. We were promised a draft the 5th of Jan. and that the soldiers in the fields should receive speedy aid from their friends at the north, and our reduced ranks should be immediately filled by those who were to be drafted the 5th or by the middle of Jan. at the utmost limit of time yet notwithstand all these promises we are now informed that we must now wait until the 1st of march before we shall have our rightful expectations realized, (quite probable not then.) These fair promises induced many whose term of three years had nearly expired to re-enlist; and “going into the veteran business” was all the talk in the camps of those whose term of enlistement had so nearly closed as to admit them to join their fate once more with that of the dear old union. Many old and battle scared fellows promised to re-enlist, yes many regts. were patiently awaiting the mustering officer and pay master to link their fortunes with those who has already gone into the veteran service, when lo, tidings arrive that there will be no draft the 5th and the consequence was that they declined to re-enter the service and in a short time will be mustered out of service, returned to their homes and thus their invaluable services are lost to the government.
And again, I notice by the tone of the papers that it is expected all old regts. will re-enter the army. If a regt. refuses to do so it is spoken of rather slightly and it is intimated that when the boys who compose such regt. do return, the people will turn to them a cold shoulder. Is such conduct right? Is it honorable? Is there any thing to justify it? The people have given of their treasure willingly and liberally, as the late doings of the G.M.S. Fair clearly demonstrates; and we soldiers honor them for their patriotism so far as it goes, but silver, gold and green backs are not going to disperse and vanquish the armed foes of our government. We must have men if we wish to hold what territory we have already wrested from our enemies at immense cost of life and limb and still pursue our advantage thus far gained successfully; yes, and that right speedily before the opening of the spring campaign – all that a man hath will be given in exchange for a chance of his life.
I received last evening a notice that Douglas Putnam Jr.( Ed. note: Prob.”Cousin Doug” from Marietta) and M. E. Reppert would be at home Wed. evening Jan. 12th. I cannot see them at home but sincerely congratulate them.
Give my respects to Andy Scott. Matt and Frank all right. How is Major Golden’s health? Much love to all
Affectionately your son
D. Putnam
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