Jonesboro [1], Geo.
Sept. 21st 1864
My own darling Wife
I have not heard from you for nearly a month. What can be the cause of it, do you suppose? I know you must write me at least once a week. The mails are received in camps every other day and everybody else gets letters but me. I wish I knew where my letters go. But because I can't hear from my darling, is no reason you shan't hear from me. I know it is not your fault. We have been having a very quiet time up here since the Armistice and I have taken advantage of the truce to write poor 'Mamie' a few lines to let her know where we all were. I had to confine myself to one side of a small
sheet of paper so had to condense matters as much as possible. I send you a copy of what I wrote to her; it was all guess work with me, but I did not have space to explain things any fully. I had to borrow 10cts in silver to pay U.S. postage with. I wish you would send me a ten cent piece in silver by the first safe opportunity so I can pay it back. Army movements up here now are kept very quiet. All of Hood's infantry have moved from this line of Rail Road where they have gone is more than anyone (knows) but I think from what I hear drop occasionally that he is about to make a land movement of Sherman and strike the Rail Road about Chatanoga. If he does that he will clear the Yankees out of Georgia at a single blow. He has men enough to make the move and the way is clear. Henry I presume has gone back to the coast; I sent him thirty days leave or got Major McDonald to send it for me. I hope he will soon regain his health. Witter is well; he has gone with Capt. H. to guard some Yankee prisoners today to East Point for the purpose of exchanging them. You must give a great deal of love to Sisters Lillie and Rosa for me. Oh! darling you don't know how much I do want to see you and my darling little ones. I have been thinking of you all day. Oh! that I could only look a head and see how long is t would be before I could fold you and them to my bosom again-but darling we must wait the issue and see what luck and our heavenly Father will do. Good bye sweet one may heaven protect you and my darling little ones from the cruel invaders. Kiss them many thime for me and please darling write me as often as you can to your
Affect. Husband Nate
[1] Jonesboro is a city in Clayton County, Georgia During the Civil War, the final skirmish in the Atlanta Campaign was fought here south of Atlanta, cutting off the city and forcing the mayor of Atlanta to surrender at Marietta in early September 1864. The final fall of Atlanta in the Battle of Jonesborough ended up being a decisive point in the nation's history, propelling Abraham Lincoln to re-election two months later, and continuing the war until the Confederacy finally surrendered the following year.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonesboro,_Georgia
Map source: Lloyd's Topographical Map of Georgia, 1864
http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/histcountymaps/clayton1864map.htm