July the 2nd 1864
Dear companion I again
take pleasure in Droping you
a few lines in a hurry to let you
know that I am Reasonable well
I hope these lines may find you
& Thomas and all the rest of our
friends well I am now in the
Ditches north of Atlanta we see
hard time here now we have
to lie in the Ditches rain or shine
but If I can have luck to live
to come through safe & return
home again I shall fell thankful
to our creator there is fighting
here more or less Every day
and some Killed Every day
but there has been none of our co
Killed yet there was one
wonded to wit J.W. Osburn
on the head by a peace of bum
but not thought to be Dangerous
I have not heard from home
[page 2]
since the 14th of July [mistake for June]
I am verry anxious to har
it is said that the road
was torn up below macon
and the train could not pass
through but some say they have
it fixed now but I Dont know
the boys a heap of them is com
plaining but none verry bad
of[f] J. W. Williams & G. E. Verner
is gone to the sick camp but
neither of them is verry bad off
only broke Down by fatieuge
there is five of our company has
got a Dischared and is going to
start home this Evening John H
Payne is one & I aim to send this
by him I want you to write to
me as you have & I may git them
after while Posey Guest is sent
to the Hospital at Millidegeville
I must close your husband until
Death James Watkins to Franky Watkins