McDonough, Henry Co.
Aug. 5th, 1864.
My darling wife,
You can scarce imagine my delight upon the reading of you darling letter of the 22nd. It was a long time getting here, but is was from my darling wife and was read with as much interest as though it had been written but a day. I had but one objection to it and that was, it was too short. You must not be governed by the length of my letters to you for all of my paper has given out and this is all that I can get and paper is very hard to get up here, and very costly. I had to pay one dollar for this little sheet of paper and one envelope, have one more sheet of paper and one envelope, when they give out gracious knows when and where the next is to come from. I wrote you on yesterday that we were about to start on a raid, we have not yet left, and the enemy seem to be massing their troops on our left as though they intended making a flank movement in that direction. If they do, it is more than probable we will not go. Two or three days more will develop his intentions. I will keep you posted in regards to our movements. You say your Father keeps insisting on you and Fanny coming up. I do not think it all advisable for either of you to come up just yet and must insist upon you and her remaining where you are for the present.
There has already been one raiding party at Monroe and no one knows how long before there will be another in the same direction. I will let you know when it is safe for you to come. And even if you were here now I would not see any more of you than I will where you are. So be patient, my darling, for I can assure you that it is not because I don't want yhou to come, but because I can't think of having you exposed to the insults of an insolent foe who are base enough to commit any outrage.
I am very sorry to hear my sweet little Lilly is sick. Hope she will be well in a few days. Goodbye, my own darling wife. Kiss my babies for dear papa. You own
Nate.
Note: Sherman's Army captured Atlanta on Sept. 2, 1864, Sherman began his march to the sea November 15, 1864, reaching Savannah December 21, 1864.