Marshall, Harrison County, Texas
Saturday, April 25, 1863
Camp Douglas
Chicago, Illinois
March 19, 1863
Dear Father
I write a letter to ARIE about a month ago, giving a statement of the condition of our company. Since then there have been so many changes in the prospects of nearly one half of us. When I wrote to Arie, there were two dead, H. T. WALKER and W. C. FORD. Since then ten more have departed this life, and now we have two at the hospital whose return, I fear, will be like the all the rest who have gone there; otherwise we are dong as well as could be expected—improving in health, getting plenty to eat, and receiving very good treatment. Money is scarce and no prospects of getting any, and of course, without it, we can procure none of the many delicacies we need when sick.
WILLIAM A. R. D. WARD is also dead. He belonged to Mill’s Regiment and was dead and buried before I knew of his sickness, I being sick at the time. The last time I saw of him, he was improving rapidly from an attack of cold, and seemed to be getting well. The next thing I knew, I saw his death published in a paper. Give my kindest regards to his parents and family, and tell them he did his duty in battle and died the death of a soldier, lamented by all of his comrades and acquaintances. Below you will find a list of the dead of our company since I wrote last:
- A.T. WALKER, Feb. 7
- W. C. FORD, Feb. 19
- W. S. CROWERS, Feb. 15
- W. O. TAYLOR, Feb. 17
- J. H. COIT, Feb. 19
- C. S. BURRAS, Feb. 24
- R. C. GRANBERRY, Feb. 24
- R. C. MELTON, Feb. 28
- J. L. CRAIG, March 2
- C. C. HALL, March 1
- L. G. HAVIS / HOVIS, March 14
- C. KEY, March 19
- J. W. GREEN, March 19
H. F. FERRELL is in the hospital with the smallpox. J. W. GREEN is also there with erysipelas. They were improving when last heard from. Beside these, there are no other serious cases among us.
The detachment of RICHARDSON’S company with us have suffered more than we, losing 7 out of 15 men. As some of them are writing home, I will only give the names of the dead. They are: HAWLEY, HENDERSON, GRAVITT, HINDS, HARRIS, HUDSON, and JARRETT. OSCAR JOHNSON has had a severe attack of erysipelas but is recovering and will be up in day or two. No others seriously sick.
Your affectionate son,
GEORGE B. ATKINS
Source: http://www.pastvoices.com/usa/atkins-george.shtml
