From Company D 39 Iowa

Davis Mill, Ga.
Sept. 4, 1864

Friend Caverly:

It is folly, perhaps, for me to attempt to anything in relation to our Company or Regiment which you do not already know, for other and more able correspondents have kept you posted. They have already, no doubt, told you of the hardships we endured on the march from Athens, Ala., to Rome, Ga. - - of the skirmishes we participated in – of the death of the noble and heroic Carnahan; who fell pierced by a rebel bullet, with his face to the enemy; and also of the death, in the hospital of the lamented Kyte, whose remains rest on the hillside a little way north of Rome. But has any one told you of our present locations?

Our Camp is situated on the Kingston and Rome R.R., about midway between the two places. We are guarding the bridge spanning Dykes’ Creek, which empties into the Etowah river at this point. We have erected formidable fortifications, to drive us from which will require a rebel force of at least five hundred. We have very convenient and comfortable quarters, and live on the best the country affords.

We have fruit and vegetables in abundance.

There are 74 present in the Co. including commissioned officers, - one sick in hospital, and two sick in quarters. Our time is spent in fishing and hunting the Johnnies. The river, only one hundred and fifty yards wide, is all that separates us from them, and almost daily we cross to the south side, and scarcely ever fail to discover their whereabouts, and occasional exchange of shots is the consequence. A few days since a squad of us under Capt. Bennett and Lieut. Mathews, started out at 3 o’clock in the morning, marched four miles through a dense forest, surprised a camp of Rebels, capturing one prisoner, five horses, two shot guns, and one revolver. We wounded one man but he escaped.

It is but justice to say that Co. D has done as much fighting as the balance of the Regiment. It was the first to enter the fight in Snake Creek Valley,- it held an advanced position, and the most important one, while at Rome, - and is now stationed nearly eight miles from any support, with nothing but the Etowah river, which is fordable at almost any point, separating it from the rebels who literally swarm on the opposite bank. You may ask why Co. D is selected in preference to other companies? I answer, it is owing to the well known and acknowledged ability of its officers, and the courage and dicipline [sic] of its men.

Of the Regt. I can say but little. It was ordered to Resaca about two weeks ago, to repel an attack on the R.R. by old Wheler [sic], since which time I have heard but little from it. I have heard of its having been to Cartersville, Marietta, Kingston, Dalton and Tunnel Hill, Ga., at Chattanooga, Cleveland, Bridgeport and Athens, Tenn. It will probably be back to Rome in a few days.

The news of the capture of Atlanta reached us yesterday, and to-day was added the capture Mobile. We are all in good spirits and will all vote for Old Abe.

Dixie

– Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, September 24, 1864