DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Frank Malcom letters, 1864

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1864-08-18 Page 03

In our Army now and Last Spring I do not Think it is one half as large as it was then. 
The 7" Iowa Left Prospect on the 29" of April Last with 631 Effective men and it now numbers 335. a loss of Killed Wounded Sick & Discharged of almost one Half. and I believe the whole army has been reduced in that proportion if not Greater.  We are all waiting for the draft this fall Think then we will be reinforced I do hope those young copper heads in Ft M will be drafted, what do you think they would do down here this hot weather on 3/4 rations of Hard bread Pork Coffee Sugar, and have to carry, Knapsack Canteen haversack & 3 days rations Something to cook with a Gun & accouterments with 60 Rounds of Ammunition a Gum & wool blanket.  all weighing about 65#  fortunately for me I do not have to carry a gun & the H'd Qrs Wagon has handled my bedding all summer.  So my load is much lighter than those who are compelled to keep in ranks. 
You may tell those young fellows if you git a good chance that I expect to see Them this fall "Father Abraham" is after them and They will have to come.  "Harry A." seems very Patriotic would like to be in the Service but cannot leave his business. What a Pitty.

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In our Army now and Last Spring I do not Think it is one half as large as it was then. The 7" Iowa Left Prospect on the 29" of April Last with 631 Effective men and it now numbers 335. a loss of Killed Wounded Sick & Discharged of almost one Half. and I believe the whole army has been reduced in that proportion if not Greater. We are all waiting for the draft this fall Think then we will be reinforced I do hope those young copper heads in Ft M will be drafted, what do you think they would do down here this hot weather on 3/4 rations of Hard bread Pork Coffee Sugar, and have to carry, Knapsack Canteen haversack & 3 days rations Something to cook with a Gun & accouterments with 60 Rounds of Ammunition a Gum & wool blanket. all weighing about 65# fortunately for me I do not have to carry a gun & the H'd Qrs Wagon has handled my bedding all summer. So my load is much lighter than those who are compelled to keep in ranks. You may tell those young fellows if you git a good chance that I expect to see Them this fall "Father Abraham" is after them and They will have to come. "Harry A." seems very Patriotic would like to be in the Service but cannot leave his business. What a Pitty.