Camp near Winchester, Tenn.
July 20, 1863
My dear Parents:
Your letter of 11th July has come to hand. We are still camped in the same place as when I last wrote. You speak of not having received any word from me since we left Murfreesboro. I don’t know why this is, I have written every opportunity & given a description of our engagements & movements as nearly as possible. (Ed. note: These engagements would have been the battles of Hoover’s Gap and Tullahoma in which the 92nd was involved. The missing letter(s) may have been intercepted by Confederate raiders).
The Rail Road is now in good condition from this point to Nashville & the government is rapidly running in a large stock of provisions, preparing I think to a forward movement on Chattanooga. We are having very pleasant weather although it is pretty warm sometimes.
Our mail arrives regularly each day; we also get Newapapers and Telegraph dispatches which keeps us pretty well informed as to the movements of the other parts of the army.
Well, where is Morgan now? I think it a pity that he should be permitted to travel through two states almost without even a check on his career. Where are the old women and girls? Yes, where are the men of Ohio & Indiana? Are they all cowards or Butternuts? (Ed. note: These sarcastic comments on Morgan’s raid through southeast Ohio were premature. Less than a week later Morgan and the 364 survivors of his original 2600 men surrendered in Ohio just northwest of Wheeling and were put into the Columbus penitentiary . However, the disastrous raid had as planned slowed down Rosecrans’ advance on Tullahoma. For a complete description of the raid see Shelby Foote, Vol. 2, “The Civil War”).
I have received the comb mother sent, it is a very fine one – was glad to get it as my old one was about gone.
The paymaster has arrived & we will be paid tomorrow; this will give me money enough to pay my debts & leave what I will require until we get more.
I hope Ella will continue to improve her time with her books, there should be at least one individual in each family devoted to literature. Who is teaching in our district now? Hope you have a good one. Tell Geo. I am sorry he has been sick, but am very glad he is now well & and raising plenty turkeys & chickens for next Christmas. I hope May will keep her promise & write free letters. I hope you still think of attending the State fair this fall.
Frank & Mat are well. Give my respects to J.R. & when his dignity finds leisure I hope he will condescend to answer my letter.
Much love to all
Affectionately your son
David Putnam
This is the last letter until one sent from Chattanooga, Tenn., over two months later. In the meantime David was furloughed home to recuperate from a serious case of chronic diarrhea. His service record contains a large number of letters on this subject including his application on July 20, the regimental surgeon’s letter supporting the application which notes that he has had the condition for five months, a series of approvals by the 92nd Regt.’s Col. Fearing, 3rd Brigade’s Gen. Crook, 4th Division’s Gen Reynolds and the 14th Army Corps’ Gen. George Thomas on July 22. The original 20 days leave was twice extended, the second time by a surgeon of the 18th O.V.I. in Athens on Oct. 9. During this period the 92nd was part of Rosecrans’ advance to Chattanooga during which it participated in the battles of Lane Chapel, Ga., Chickamauga, Ga., and Chattanooga, Tenn. So he missed participation in the events that earned Gen.Thomas the title of “Rock of Chickamauga”.
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