Clark, George W. (fl. 1863-1865) to his father

[draft]

30 June 1864,
Camp near Kennesaw Mts. GA
Dear Father,
Nothing of any importance has transpired since I last wrote you. The day on which I penned my last Sherman assaulted the Enemey's [sic] works on their left, and finding them, invulnerable retired, with a loss of 3,000 in killed & wounded. Their works and positions are impregnable & cannot be carried except with an enormous loss of life. I doubt if Sherman will again attack them in their present position, but you may soon hear of another of Sherman's brilliant plant movements. It is certainly evident to us here that their position cannot be carried by assault and that Sherman will not risk another slaughter in these abortive attempts. Our lines are at the foot of the Mt. And the Reb. Lines are half way up and on top the Mt. Their Batteries open on our camps and lines below but are soon silenced by our batteries who have perfect range. I went yesterday to visit the 15th Mich. ? of Soyan's Corps and while there witnessed the most accurate artillery fire I ever saw. Occasionally they would fire down on our men when our guns would answer with visible effect. Every shot would strike their works and send the dirt flying in clouds. When they first opened I was standing with St. Doyle inspecting their works with a field glass. I was holding my horse at the time - whiz - came Mr. Shall and we all jumped down in the trenches. When we could see just as well and not so disagreeably exposed. I tried to pull my horse down but could not & I then hitched him to a small sapling just in rear of the trench. The second shell cup the top of the sapling and it fell beside the horse. Another burst directly over him, but did not hit him. I merely mention this to show you how accurate their fire is. Their guns were soon hushed by a fire from a radius of guns which are trained on that point of ? and the boys climb out of their holes & trenches and pursued the ordinary vocation of ?. The Reb skirmishers and sharpshooters are very careful not to expose themselves for when they shoot down on our skirmish line or works a shell with its compliments goes plunging through the smoke of their muskets and Mr. Johnny Reb. "dries up" for awhile. Father I wish you consider the request I made in my last. You can write to Chase good and strong and if he fails to use his influence why write to Sumner. The appointment comes from the Pres. And has to be confirmed by Congress. This is a provisional appointment in the Reg. Army and is dispensable at the pleasure of the "powers that be." Chase would have to request it from the Pres. And he surely has sufficient influence to accomplish this. That is provided that you could accomplish the preliminary steps. The fact of it is this. Reg. Is such a confounded "Red tape" affair that I am disgusted. I have no friends that I will cringe to & will not demean myself having too much dignity or forget my principles for the sake of unworthy promotion. It makes my heart ache to see good lives and worthy men thrown aside and miserable cowards and drunkards commissioned through the influences of friends or relatives. Col. Mimly being in command of …[end of letter]