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Chattanooga Letter - Letters, Diaries and Journals - Civil War Talk - Civil War Interactive Discussion Board

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Posted: Tue Jul 7th, 2009 06:01 pm

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Mark
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My father's friend a collection of letters from a relative that he let me borrow to transcribe for him. The author of the letter is PVT David L. McNees of Company H, 78th PA. I found this to be one of the more interesting ones as it describes life under seige at Chattanooga, TN. The transcription was difficult because he used very watered down ink and conserved paper by writing the last part over another part of the letter. Nevertheless, I think it is worth taking a look at. Enjoy!

Chattanooga Oct 2^nd 63

Dear Sister

This will inform you that your welcome + [illegible] of the 20^th Sept came to hand [rest of line illegible] of the 2^nd [illegible] was hailed [illegible] joy it found me well and in good spirits but with not quite enough to eat. We [illegible] since your last letter are now on 2/3 rations. [Rest of line illegible] I am [illegible] on account of the [illegible] of getting [illegible]rations in They [Rest of line illegible] our wagon [train] Bridges [illegible] distance of 40 miles by [illegible] road and are minimal [Rest of line illegible].

The Rebs captured a train coming from there here a day or two ago with it they got most of our Regimental wagons they having been sent back for supplies. [illegible] Jack was with the train for he had been back for a load of goods The last that was seen of him he was up on his wagon handing out goods to the Rebs. I suppose he was taken prisoner. Our Cavalry was sent in pursuit of the Rebs and have recaptured some of the wagons. I do not think the enemy could get any of the wagons or prisoners away but they burnt some of the wagons The enemy are still in front and in sight of us here and today they are trying the range of their artillery on us now but they are doing no harm yet. They have got two 32 Pound Guns did have [illegible] some shot clear over us We have two two 24 Pounders here but have not got ammunition for them the ammunition being destroyed with the train they captured.

We are strongly fortified here and aint caring how soon the enemy attack us They can neither Siege us out of this nor take it by storm. The weather for the last few days has been quite cold We are beginning to wish for warmer quarters than Dog tents A good many of the boys of ‘H’ Co. has been sick for a day or two past Disease Diarrhea occasioned I think by eating Rice fresh [illegible] and drinking River water They are all better most of them able for duty I was sick one afternoon myself but am well again.

Our Co. are still at the Fort doing duty we have a good deal of duty to do here but have no Picket or Fatigue duty to do and on an average are enjoying ourselves well. You asked if we have any preaching here we have not had any since we left Dechard Station We were visited there by Delegates of the Christian Commifsion amongst others was Mr. McQuady of the U.P. Church Hee used to preach [illegible] at old Johny [illegible]. They distributed some reading matter amongst the Soldiers. The latest papers we have here are of the 30^th Sept. Consequently have no very late war news I understand from them though that the army of the Potomac is on the move again and we hope to hear of it doing something soon. The Rebs still continue to throw some shell around here As the mail does not go out till morning I will not close this till evening and if any thing worthy of note happens this afternoon I shall speak of it. I will close for the present.

7 P.M. The Rebs have been bombarding us all afternoon about 20 shots struck inside and around the Fort. Two shells struck amongst our tents but done no harm I have heard of but two men that were hurt. The firing has ceased but I expect it will open again in the morning again but they can never Siege us out of this But I will close. Write soon and often and I will write again soon.

Your Brother DL McNees

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