This Day in Georgia Civil War History
July 21, 1864
Soldier in Virginia Overly Optimistic about Georgia Situation
A Georgia soldier in Virginia wrote home to his fiance, briefly describing his situation, then going into more detail about military affairs in Georgia; he was overly optimistic about things at home.
“…How long we will remain in this situation we cannot tell. It seems as if Grant is determined, if not driven away, to remain here all summer. I do wish this campaign would close, ‘tis very disagreeable, and very unhealthy, both from bullets & disease. We can stand it about as well as Grant, tho’. … It is now certainly known that Genl. Johnston has been relieved of his command and Genl. Hood has assumed command. Hood is an excellent officer, and I’ve no doubt will soon relieve the downtrodden portions of our beloved state. The Yankeys are getting uncomfortably near my home and I’m extremely anxious they should be driven away as speedily as possible. They have overrun enough of our state, and I think it is now time for them to “halt”. I received two letters from home today, and they exhibit great uneasiness lest Sherman should overrun our portion of the state. Our country is actually filled up with refugees from the northern part of Georgia. … I think there is no use in being in such a hurry, Sherman hasn’t got Atlanta yet’ not do I believe he will. If he does succeed he will be compelled to do some very hard fighting, I’m certain. … Source: Clyde G. Wiggins III (ed.), My Dear Friend: The Civil War Letters of Alva Benjamin Spencer, 3rd Georgia Regiment, Company C (Macon, Mercer University Press, 2007), pp. 135-136.
