Camp near Shanty Station Ga.
June 28th 1864

Dear Beloved Wife,

I take my pen in hand to write a few lines in answer to yours of the 18th (which I received about an hour ago with great pleasure) to let you know that I am wel1 and hearty and hope these few lines may find you the same. My health has been gradually improving ever since we left Columbia and I feel quite hearty now. My arm troubles me some yet but it will get well by and by.

I am like you, that is, looking for news, but I will try and give you a little. Well, last Friday I got a letter from you with Photograph and answered it and in the evening we got orders for 20 men to go on picket and we went to the rear had a good time. That is there was no danger. On the 25th there was cannonading in our front. The Rebs with 16 mortars which seemed to shake the ground but with what effect I have not heard.

I got a letter from Ezra. He is well and near New Orleans.

On Sunday we moved camp about 1 mile to the front. Yesterday the 27th we went out on foot about two miles built breast works and laid behind them till bout 4 o'clock we came back to camp awful tired and hungry. We did not take any rations with us. Then we came in and if I ever had an appetite for our crackers, coffee and pickled pork it was then, and today there is some fighting on our right and the report is that Gen. Hooker crossed the river and if that is so, the Rebs will have to get out of their present strong position in Lost Mountain and when they are once out of that we will get Atlanta which is about 20 miles from here and is one of the most important places in the south to the Rebs and I think by the 4th of July I think we will have Atlanta and perhaps Richmond and that will break their neck and backbone. All that I now fear is that some of their Cavalry will get in our rear and destroy the Rail Road so that we can not get our supplies. They have already tried that but were badly whipped. And I hope that will be their luck every time they try such a game.

I forgot to tell you I got some more stamps in this letter. I hope your cough may be well by the time you get this. You say you began to think that I was killed or sick because you did not hear from me. Now, Dear Wife, do not trouble about me till you hear such news for you must think that I have not got a chance to write every day as we are kept very busy and if we should go on a raid, you might not hear from me for a month, or perhaps longer. But rest assured I will write whenever I can or if I should not be able to write to you someone else will. You say some think there will be famine but that will not come yet. You need not fear. I feel sorry for Mariette but do not know as I can help her.

The weather has been very hot here for about a week. We have had a great deal of rain and that has kept it very pleasant as we have not suffered from dust this summer as we did last, but it may come yet.

Oh, I most forgot to tell you that yesterday evening we went to the station and drew about 30 Spencer Carbine that is the seven shooting gun that shoots those copper cartridges. Four companies are already armed with them and when the whole Regiment gets them then get out of the way, Rebs or you will get hurt.

Well I believe I told you in my other letter that I had a letter from Ezra. He was well and was near New Orleans.

Well, I believe I have given you about all the news that I can think of, so I will come to a close in hope of hearing from you again soon. So no more at present, from your ever loving

Husband,
George Kryder
To Elisabeth Kryder and all inquiring
Henry is well.