This letter was written by Lewis W. Frank who enlisted in Co. B, 18th Missouri Infantry on 14 November 1861. He wrote the letter to John H. Morgan of Saint John, Putnam county, Missouri.

Lewis wrote the letter to John H. Morgan (1820-1904), a blacksmith in Saint John, Putnam county, Missouri, who served at one time as a Lieutenant in Co. B, 18th Missouri, but left the regiment when he became ill and never returned to the regiment. According to his obituary, John was born in Kentucky but moved to Illinois in his youth and married Mary Young in Shelby county, Illinois, in 1846. He moved to St. John, Missouri, in 1854.

Transcription

Camp near Atlanta
July 26, 1864

Dear friend,

I seat myself to write you a few lines this morning to let you know that I received your kind and welcome letter which came to hand the other day. I was glad to hear that you was well and doing well. I am well, I believe—as well as common.

John, the Boys was all glad to hear from you. They say that they don’t get any letters from you. You said that you wanted to know about Warren Howard. He is not dead. If you know what you are doing, turn [the page] over. Warren was wounded but is doing well as far as I know.

John, we had a damn big fight the other day. Only two killed and nineteen wounded in our regiment. The next day two more killed and two taken prisoner. I will give you the names of Co. B. 18 more wounded and killed.

George F. Wilder, wounded
John A. Drake, wounded
Ed Davis, wounded
John Watkins, wounded
Andrew Morgan, wounded
Chesley [N.] Wall, was killed

We are looking for a fight every minute. The rebels is about one mile from us now. Our advance are fighting wit hthem all the time. The cannons are barking all the time, day and night, killing and dragging out there. Some rebels lying on the field yet—all rotten.

John, I have to quit writing and go to draw beef. So no more this time. Goodbye. Write soon. From, — L. W. Frank

to John H. Morgan, Esqr., of Saint John