Head quarters 23d Mich
      		Vol Infantry
     Georgia August 16th 1864
		Dear Parents
                             e
I recieved your verry welcom^
letter the other day and
was glad to hear from
you as it was the first,
letter I had recieved from
Home in a long, time.
I am well and hope
these few lines will
find you enjoying the
same blessing for such
it realy is. I have wrote
several letters which were
not answered. I staid with
Dick last night he is
well with the exceptions
of a sore leg. I am
glad we can see each
other as it seems a good
deal like home

W. W. Denio
Warren is well he is a
Seargeant now. we have
good times as can be 
expected in the field
I saw Edward Mccarn
about a week ago he is
well. I recieved a letter
from Emerson Crandell
last evening he says that
the army of the potomac
were doing first rate and
were in fine spirits
he is well and has been
in every fight that the
                          d
Regiment have been engage^
                            ness
in the Battle of the wilder^
and spotssylvania Court House
Bethel church and at the
present time he is before
Petersurg when you see
his folks tell them he
is well. we are pretty close
to Atlanta and they

     shell it a little
    every day. Atlanta
must and will fall
the rebelion is about
played out useing our
expression the rebs and
our men trad coffee
and tobacco on the skir
mish, time they got to
gather the other day and made
a bargain to this affect
that the rebs should make
a Charge on our boys and
use blank cartridges
and our boys should shoot
over them well they made
the charge and our boys
got over the breast works
and charged them and run 
through them and they
threw down their arms
and came in we did not
loose a man and they


fared as well so
you see they have
no confidence in
the confedracy. answer
this as soon as you get
it tell all the news
I have been in the service
four days over two years
that is enough for me
I send this back with the
stamp you sent me
      no more at this time
I still remain your
Affectionate son
              Israel G Atkins

     Dear Sister Fanny
you must be a good girl
and help ma all you
can write to me as often
as you can and I will answer
your letters Kiss will and
Baby for me good bie from
Illy to his sister Fanny

[Penciled in at top of Scan 5] [60           8-16-64]

H A Atkins
Locke
Aug 16___Ingham Co
Mich

[various signatures and addresses written in different directions]