Camp near Macon Ga.
April 26th 1865

Dear Beloved Wife

I once more take my pen in hand to write to you to let you know that I am well and hearty and have been since we left Tenn. River and hope when this letter reaches you it may find you all in good health and fine spirits. Although it has been a long time since you have heard from me, I hope you have not [worried?] about my safety as I told you in my last letter that it would be a long time till you would hear from me again and we have no mail communications yet but I think we will have before long and as I have time now I thought I would write so that when the mail does go I will have a letter ready to send.

Well, I will now tell you that we left Chickasaw landing the 22nd ult, that is the whole Cavalry Corps, consisting of the 1st, 2nd, and the 4th Division. We marched over a hundred miles before we met any opposition when the advance had some skirmishing but drove the Rebs. Sheep [?] and took many prisoners. We had very bad roads and made it very tedious for our train to get along but we had a good force of prisoners who would corduroy the bad places. We struck a new Rail Road which was partly completed and destroyed it and burned several large furnaces and a coal mine, and an immense quantity of cotton.

When we got to a small river, where there was a R.R. Bridge across our advance did not give the Rebs. time to burn it and we cross over and followed them and on the 1st they tried to make a stand at Montevello but our advance cleaned them out in short meter, and took over 100 prisoners and two pieces Artillery. That night we camped in an open field and drove stakes to hitch our horses.

On the 2nd we started early had about 30 to Selma, Ala. on the Alabama River where the Rebs. made great preparations to defeat us and drive us back. We did not go more than about two miles till our Battalion was ordered to go to the right and take a road four miles from the main running parallel and we were ordered to go to Selma on if we could but we did not get to the road till we saw a few Rebs. but they kept falling back as we advanced till we run into a whole Brigade of Rebs, Gen. Chalmer's Division. We had a little fight in which we had several men wounded and 7 taken prisoners in this skirmish. Henry was slightly wounded on the top of his head just cutting the depth of the skin.

Well, finding too many Jonnies for us we fell back to the main road and marched towards Selma. As we got within 6 or 8 miles of the place we heard hard fighting with Artillery and small arms. The place was strongly fortified and Forrest's whole command was there besides about 5,000 citizens. The fight lasted about two hours when our men charged the forts and took them with 2,500 prisoners. The balance of the Rebs barely got away by scattering in every direction. We took in all 248 pieces artillery about 25,000 small arms and an immense amount or ammunition and supplies and an immense amount of cotton which was all burned. This was one of the most important places. The Rebels had a large arsenal for manufacturing cannon and small arms and other implements of war. This was all done in 12 days [we] marched nearly 500 miles over bad roads.

Then the Rebs were in a study to where we would go next. We scouted the country several days then crossed the river and marched on Montgomery the Capital. There were about 3,000 Rebs there, but they left the place without firing a gun and the citizens met us and surrendered the city. Here were many union people and all private property was respected and even the state house was not burned but all the cotton and public stores. This was on the 13th. On the 14th, we started towards Columbus, Ga. where the Rebs had gone, and on the 16th our men took the place. This was the largest capture of all but I never found out precisely, but it was immense.

I have not heard from Samuel in a long time and do not know where to write to him. I have written Salome a letter but have no answer yet. Not getting any letters from you I have no ambition to write to anyone else. It has been very hot and dry here for three or four weeks but it is thundering and looks much like rain. They must have had heavy rains north of this for the river has risen about 5 feet in the last 24 hours and is still rising.

Well I have given you about all then news that I can think of so I will come to a close in hopes or hearing from you soon. I would like to be at home to go to church with you. I would like to see our girls. I suppose they have grown so I would not know them. No more at present, but remain as ever, your true and affectionate Husband,

George Kryder
To Elisabeth, Lillie and Mary Kryder my love to all.

Please write soon and direct Co. I, 3rd O.V.V.C. Macon, Ga.

We live pretty well here. We are going to have some pancakes and molasses made out of sugar for supper. We drew some flour which was the first for about a month. No more this time

My love and respects to all
So Good Bye