| ANCESTOR PROFILES |
JOHN J. ATWOOD - ALABAMA
42nd inf. Co. G |
| A letter from J.J. Atwood (ATWOOD
CABIN GRAY COURT, SC) written to his brother Joseph H. Atwood during
the WBTS. Dalton, Georgia (in an Army Camp 3 miles from town) To: Joseph H. Atwood 4th day of May 1864 Dear Brother: I again drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well and in Camp near Dalton Ga. My folks was all well a few days ago. I received a letter from them. I wrote you one letter since you left my house but have received no answer. I remained at home till the 8th of Nov. I left home to join my command and found it on Look Out Mt. on Nov. 25th. We went into battle on the __ th and (either "then" or "they") retreated to Missionary Ridge; fought there on the 25th then retreated to Dalton arrived there on the 27th a distance of 32 miles and are here and probably will remain here for some time. We have been fortifying this position for some time. We are looking for the Enemy to make a powerful effort to break through our lines every day, though they know they will have a rough bob-cat to tree. They advanced and attacked us on the 20th of Feb. but a few rounds from our line and Batteries drove them back to their fortifications in Chattanooga with considerable loss. They have been receiving re-enforcements since and will be compelled to advance or evacuate Chattanooga. |
We also have been receiving re-enforcements
daily and have a powerful army. I can’t tell what number but over fifty
thousand all in fine spirits, well fed and well clothed and in good discipline,
confident of a Victory when they come. There has been skirmishing in
front almost every day for two weeks. Wheeler's Calvary is in our front.
Nature has fortified our position on the ridge of the Rocky faced mountain.
What was left undone, we finished and are ready for them. Two deserters were shot in sight of our camp today. I don’t know how long I will remain in the service. My time will be out in twelve months but think under the late Act of Congress, I will be retired or assigned to State duty in a short time. Two of my sons is in Camp near me and is well, Josiah and Andrew. Toliver is still in Wheeler's Calvary. Lem is with Longstreet in Va. All well when I heard from them last. Sister Cassy and Emsley is well as for health but I expect in trouble about their son-in-law, my folks writes to me that James Canaday, (Jane's man) has deserted and come home, stayed a short time and went to the Yankees in Tenn. with their other two Battels son-in-laws and their families are going to them also. Robert Battels, John Noble, Sam Dillard and others report they are gone. If it is true and they don’t come back, their lands will be confiscated and sold. You had better go back there and look for you a place again. If you will go, there you can get the Jas. Kennedy place at the same price James and Emsley promised for it. Emsley and Cassy would be mighty glad you would go and see about it, as they want a small portion of it for a home and have got the cotton to pay for it. |
Mr. Byers and Rowen told me that he would not
sell it to anybody else as long as there was any chance of their paying for
it. But we all know that James Kennedy will never try to pay for it now.
I think if you will go out there Emsley will go to Mr. Byers with you and
you can take James Kennedy's place, and the land at the same price.
If I go home I will assist you. Mr. Byers told me he would not sell
it to anybody else till he let me know it the price is five dollars per acre
and good time to pay it in. It will be worth twenty dollars per acre
in a very few years. Caroline, Make Joseph get out on that mule and go back there and get him a place he can do better there than any place I have been in all my travels. When you write direct to TENNESSEE ARMY, STUARTS DIVISION, BAKERS' BRIGADE 42nd REG. ALA. VOL. CO. When you write to me at home, direct it to Bennetteville, P. O. J. J. Atwood
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