Saturday, February 8, 2020

November 6th, 1864, Kingston, GA


Kingston, Ga. 
Nov. 6, 1864

Dear Father:

     We – the 14th Corps – are in Camp near Kingston, a small village on the Chattanooga and Atlanta RR. Every thing is prospering finely, our communications are all right – Hood has ceased to trouble.
Preparations are being made for some grand move soon; you may wait for stirring events from this army before long - if I can judge from appearances, although Gen. Sherman has not confided any of his contemplated movements for the future to me.

Sherman knows not winter quarters. If he will only lead us through to the land of oysters on the Atlantic or Gulf shores. We don’t want to see winter quarters this year: yes take us to Macon, Augusta and Andersonville that we may liberate our thousands of wretched, suffering Union brethren who are now languishing in Southern dungeons and we will be glad. I dare not tell all I know as to our future movements.

We have lately had some cold, windy, rainy weather for this latitude.

The army is in fine campaigning trim – many drafted and substitute men are daily arriving for the various parts of this army. They are known by the old soldier at a single glance, they all have long hair and knapsacks about as large as a common haystack. We have recently been paid. I have paid over to the State Agent $500.00. I send you a receipt for the money. I would like it invested in U.S. 7 – 30’ bonds – I took bonds from the paymaster but I expect they will be picked up before they reach Athens County. Frank also sends $100.00. State Agent’s name is Mr. Wallace.

Day after tomorrow the great battle of the war will be fought. The army here is a unit for Lincoln and Johnson. May God give us true and good men.

                                                 Affectionately your son
                                                          David Putnam

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