December 18th, 1864, Near Savannah, GA

Near Savannah, Ga.
Dec. 18, 1864

My dear Parents,

My prophecy in my last, that my next letter would be dated from some point further south has proved true. Our Div. is in camp about five miles west of Savannah. The army has been about the city nearly a week. We received our first mail last evening.

We had been wandering through the State of Georgia one long month without communication with the North – you can imagine how refreshing the news that our communication was again open and that we would again receive our mail regularly.

When we arrived near the city we could distinctly hear the fleet pounding away at Reb forts at the mouth of the Savannah River and we knew then that we were all right. The fleet succeeded in ascending the river to Ft. McAllister. Here they halted until the land force came up; after some little time & severe fighting the fort was captured with entire garrison and 16 pieces heavy artillery. This gave us command of the S. River up to the mouth of the Ogeechee – also the Ogeechee River. Everything is prospering finely and in a short time Savannah will be ours.

We have communication with the fleet, Foster operating in South Carolina and Grant. I have seen the soil of S.C., but as yet trod the sand of the hotbed of traitors. Our movements through Ga. have been completely successful and all that could be desired. Plenty to eat, little fighting and fine weather.
Boys from our vicinity so far as I know doing well. Frank all right – my health first rate. Weather fine, quite warm – shade comfortable. Mail soon leaves.

Much love to all
                 Very affectionately, son
                            David Putnam   

P.S.  Have you recd my money yet? Send letters as heretofore except substitute Savannah for Atlanta.
                                 D.P.

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

September 14th, 1864, Atlanta, GA

In My Office Near Atlanta
Sept. 14, 1864

My dear Parents,

Your letter of 31st Aug. has come to hand. Also a package containing a beautiful and at the same time useful present from each of father, mother , brother and sisters. For all these tokens of remembrance I am very thankful.

You say you sent the knife for me to sell; now I at first supposed it a present, if not, I cannot take money for it, but will gladly give money so soon as we are paid by the U.S. I did not enter the army for the purpose of making money. Neither am I willing to monopolize some sutler’s trade. Therefore I must decline pedling.

Our Corps is in camp one and one half miles south of Atlanta on the Macon R.R. (RR) Cars are running regularly. I would much prefer our present camp away from the filth and contamination of the city than a position inside the city limits. I went through Atlanta  a few days since, Ah, it is a horrible place – neglect and ruin are everywhere, dirt, poverty, wretchedness and wickedness are the ruling powers that be. Atlanta is spread over a large area of ground, is not nearly as compactly built as Nashville. Many of the larger houses were burned by Yankee shells. In every garden or yard are erected small cellar bombproof forts on private account for the use of women, children and negros to screen themselves from the inquisitiveness of the “vandal’s” twenty pound Parrott blue Mass; Yes and the people have from appearance kept as close to these private affairs as the Chivalry did to those public outside of the city. Immense forts and heavy lines of works surround the town on all sides yet all these and millions of destroyed property together with twenty pieces of 64 and 100 pounder guns were abandoned by Hood. Sherman used him  as a mere child. While near Jonesboro we captured a Reb. Lieut. on his way to join his command; he had been to the great jubilee given by Hood in celebration of the Yankee defeat and retreat from before Atlanta and the great Confed. Victory. He got drunk and while in this state was left behind by the army in their hasty retreat to meet Sherman further south. It was a Yankee trick in part that which blew Hood and his hordes from Atlanta. Yes, military strategy first real (??) I have seen since the war began. If I only had time I could let you into the secret.

Weather very fine although sometimes hot; boys from 92 all well so far as I know.
     
Much love to all
      Affectionately your son
      David Putnam

August 11th, 1864, Atlanta, GA

Camp before Atlanta, Ga.
Aug. 11, 1864

My dear Parents,

Yours of July 31st has been duly received, I have had my time fully occupied or should have answered before this.

Since I last wrote our Corps has moved from the center, about seven miles to the right of the line and now occupy a position near a small stream - Utoy Creek – and strongly entrenched. Since we crossed the Chattahoochi we have lost many men and several Noble Commanders – the brave and intrepid McPherson was killed 22nd July while at the head of his Columns, cheering on his men . Hooker has been relieved by his request, because Howard was assigned to McPherson’s old command – Hooker ranks Howard – I do not think Hooker acted without blame. Palmer our Corps Commander has been relieved and the 14th Corps is now commanded by Gen. Johnson who formerly commanded the 1st Division of 14th Corps, Stoneman with a portion of his cavalry has been captured while on an extensive raid on the railroads leading from Atlanta south. Yet with all these changes our army still presses the enemy at all points. With Thomas and Sherman left we are safe.

     The Rebs fight more stubbornly here than they have at any other point since the campaign commenced, but what will it avail them except the loss of life? They will if they remain here suffer defeat – they must leave: they are becoming worn out and discouraged by the labor which is exacted from them in the trenches before the city day and night, and for the first time since we crossed the river, deserters are flocking into our lines, they say all the railroads except one leading to Atlanta have been destroyed and rations are becoming scarce. Deserters this morning say Johnson is again commanding their army – Johnson was relieved because he wouldn’t fight and now Hood has been set aside because he has fought.

There are guns of large calibre in the forts about Atlanta, we have had 64 pound Parrott shells fall into our camp and they say there are 120 pound cannon mounted in some of the forts west from the City, if this is true the Southern Confederacy will someday be minus some big guns.

The weather has been pretty warm, but we have been having rain recently, which makes it more pleasant. I have recd both bundles which you forwarded and they are a great comfort. Is the price of groceries and provisions still advancing in Ohio? I have to pay 25 cts per lb for white sugar, 20 for brown, 21 for ham, 20 dried beef, 12.5 fresh beef, 16 pork, 52 for coffee and 20 for beef tongue, dried.

Boys from our neighborhood well last I heard. Sergt. Sleigh sick and gone to hospital – my health firm. Much love to all
                                                     Your Son
                                                     David Putnam

July 26th, 1864, Headquarters, 3rd Div., 14th Army Corps

Headquarters
3rd Div., 14th Army Corps
In the field, Ga.

July 26, 1864

My dear Parents

Yours of 10th inst. containing fifteen postage stamps I have received.

Since I last wrote the army has advanced, and our div. is now encamped and fortified within two and one half miles of Atlanta.

Our largest guns have thrown some shells into the city, doing but little injury except the burning of a few buildings. Johnson is not now commanding the Rebel forces, having been relieved the 16 and Hood assumed command. The enemy is still fortifying about the city which is already nearly surrounded by very strong works – this looks much like he means fight – since he assumed command he has made several desperate charges on our lines all of which have been successfully repulsed with much loss to the Jonnies.

I do not need a hat since I recently bought one. I have a good gold pen although my writing doesn’t bear witness to the fact. I send by the Pro. Mar. to Chattanooga for my bundle of shirts kerchiefs towels to some time since and he has brought them through safely and I am now enjoying the comforts of a good large shirts, they fit nicely.

The weather for a few days past has been more cool and pleasant. I have been receiving Messengers regularly.

Please send me in letters now and then some yarn so that I can darn my socks, also a skein of linen thread.

The boys from our locality are doing well. Jess Russell is with Pro. Guard at Brig. Hdq. They have been talking some lately of making me Div. Quartermaster on Gen’l Baind’s staff. Do you think it would be right for me to accept the position, or make another effort to be relieved and return to the Regt.? Because officers according to Col. Brough’s order who are on detached duty are not entitled to promotion when a vacancy occurs. What had I best do?

Much love to all
                       Affectionately etc.
                              David Putnam

July 9th, 1864, Near Chattahoochi, GA

In the field

Near Chattahoochi, Ga.

July 9, 1864

Dear Parents

Your letter containing slips of paper which gave accounts of commencement proceedings I have recd.

Our Corps is still in camp near Chattahoochi River; the other Corps are busy on the right. Everything thus far is going well. The Rebs have strong forts on opposite side of river to prevent our crossing. Atlanta can plainly be seen from points on this side of river, but with a good glass the streets can be seen thronged with people. When fighting is in progress the house tops are covered by spectators who seem to be much interested in movements of our army: strong forts can be seen near the city. The cars are up as usual. They run right up to the skirmish line. This insolence as the Rebs consider it is promptly met by a shower of bullets. A Reb prisoner says he believes the Yanks have a machine for “spinning railroads”.

The weather is hot, hot, very hot – the roads are beginning to be somewhat dusty.  

Boys in the Regt. were all well the last time heard. I do not need money although we have not been paid for nearly seven months.

Much love to all

         Affectionately your son David Putnam

Descendants of Amos Putnam and Christiana Jane Wormwood-Julia Caroline Putnam

• Amos Putnam(1794-1849)-P8 married Christiana Jane Wormwood(1804-1894)-P9
• Julia Caroline Putnam(1825-1886) married Rufus Johnson(1831-1921)
• Carrie Chistiana Johnson(1858-1946) married Willis Edwin Ferguson(1857-1928) then Edwin Ellis Sprague(1863-1945)
• Edna Luis Ferguson(1888-1975) married Andrew H. Walker(1884-1975)
• Lois Clair Walker(1908-1995) married Henry Wadsworth Longfellow(1902-1962)
• Lawrence Andrew Walker(1911-2004) married Mildred Adele West(1912-1988)
• Edith M. Ferguson(1894-UNKN)