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Franklin County: Jacob D. Miller to George Miller, June 3, 1865

Summary:
Jacob Miller describes events at the close of the war in the South. He includes a description of the taking of Spanish Fort, Montgomery, and Mobile.


The United States Christian Commission
Sends this sheet as the Soldier's messenger to his home.
Let it hasten to those who wait for tidings.

George Miller

June 3, 1865

Montgomery

Dear Brother

The United States Christian Commission
Sends this sheet as the Soldier's messenger to his home.
Let it hasten to those who wait for tidings.

I raise my pen after a long march and considerable [unclear: fighting]. we left the enemy [illeg.] the first of march and got aboard a boat and went below [illeg.] [illeg.] [illeg.] [illeg.] a few days and [illeg.] [illeg.] [illeg.] the ship guiding star and crossed the gulf of mexico there was 5 regiments aboard they were most all sick it was the most miserable [unclear: place] I ever was in we landed at fort garris Dauphine Island and from there we took a boat for fish since Dauphine Island is a very hot place plenty of oysters and the prettiest sea shells you ever saw the [unclear: ferns] grow there from leaf we landed

[page 2]
fish since and camped 3 days and then marched 3 days and met the rebs and drove them in their works which was spanish fort we then commenced to throw up breast works and was under fire 13 days There was a good many fell we was exposed to shot and shell all the time our tents were full of hole a good many wounded in their tents and a good many while cooking their meals there was 14 killed & wounded while eating with a shell i was pretty bad scared when they got a cross fire with their heavy guns the shell would weigh about 150 lb and when they would strike they would bust i come only near geting my last [deleted: ] [illeg.] at one place i was put on [unclear: picket] and was behind

[page 3]
a tree and couldn't leave until dark I hadn't dared to show myself the 8 of April we charged the rebs the balls flew far all that was out after about 4 hours fighting we took the fort we took 700 prisoners then we were ordered to march we marched to montgomery where we now are this is the finest city in the south the talk here is that the war is over and we are going home i don't know how it is i hope it is so for i am tired of this war when you write leave me know if John is home and how you are all getting along I must soon close, please excuse these few

[page 4]
hasty scribbled lines blakley was taken the day after we took Spanish fort it is about 4 miles from where we were we could hear them bombarding at Mobile too it appeared as if an earthquake when they all commenced

No more From your True Brother

Jacob D Miller

Answer & direct to Co. F 8 Penna 16 army co Montgomery AL
You must excuse the envelope this is all we get from the Christian Commission



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