Chattanooga, Tenn.
Nov. 20 1863
My dear Parents,
I have been writing regularly since I left home and yet I have not received a single word relative to home since Oct. 26 or the day I left for the regiment.
I am feeling first rate and am improving every day – have not been excused from duty since my arrival.
We are kept pretty busy – day before yesterday Gen. Turchin put us through on brigade drill, I had command of Co. K during the drill.
Yesterday we were on fatigue duty, building a fort. Today our entire brigade consisting of seven regiments are on Picket. The 92nd occupy the outer line of skirmishers or the rifle pits and I have charge of twenty-two men who have positions within three hundred feet of the Reb. Line of pickets – they are dirty, greasy and ignorant looking creatures you may be certain. We are not permitted to hold communication with them although they are within nice speaking distance of us.
Nov. 21
Came off of Picket this morning & feel tired but otherwise very well. Times begin to assume a stirring appearance; heavy connonading on our right and left this morning filled up now and then with the roar of musketry. I think, yes almost know, that we will have an engagement here soon.
The weather has been quite warm and pleasant for the past three weeks, but we are now having some showers..
The paymaster has visited us lately and left us a few of Uncle Sam’s Green Backs. I enclose a check for two hundred and ninety Dollars ($290.) two hundred & fifty of which is mine, twenty Frank’s and twenty Mat. Scotts which he wishes you to hand to his father. Mine you can find use for somewhere. R. McCarley of Athens is our State Agent, the money has been paid over to him. Our Co. small as it is has sent home $2235.
How does Lieut. Rosser succeed in recruiting? How many has he enlisted? Maj. Golden is not well. Cousin Doug is very well now Mat. Scott has returned to the co. and is looking pretty well. Frank is as rugged as he can be. Are Sarah + Betty at school this term? Are you going to have a winter school in our district this winter? How does John get along now? Is he as proud as ever? Hope he has ere this time learned who Maxy is.
Give much love to Geo.May, Alice and all the rest.
Affectionately your son D. Putnam
P.S. We have a new Sutler he is an old Athenian, Malan Atkinson formerly of the 18th O.V.I. I have this morning purchased a cot bed from him which will be a great comfort – much better than sleeping on the ground.
David Putnam
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