less of me for complaining - I tell you all my troubles when it might be better perhaps to quietly keep them to my self - but I know that in your breast I have sympathy.  What a blank would my life be without that sympathy and congeniality of sentiment.  My imagination dwells with rapture at the prospect of a quiet life in future store if our lives and health is spared - But I must not dwell on a subject so near my heart - I often question whether it is right for men of the mental organization of the Garretts - with such an intense love for home and family to ever leave home at all. but then the same answer comes up that did before I enlisted if my home and family are so dear to me they are worth fighting for.  Gen Canby is reorganizing the 19th A.C. and I think consolidating the 13th with it.  We are in the 3rd (Gen Lawler's) Division and will most likely remain here for some time yet - The rebels have been threatening us here for two or three months but retreat about the time we get ready to give them a good whiping - As for news I presume you will get it by the papers before it would reach you from me.  The accounts from Atlanta are thrilling.  the rebels there are fighting with a desperation that gives evidence of despair for their cause.  The Naval fight in Mobile Bay was somewhat amusing, if indeed any fight could be so.  Mr would-be Admiral Buchanon Commander of the Rebel Ram Tennesee was so mortified that he had to go into the fight in such a hurry that he had not time to "get shaved" as great crowds of the elite ladies & gentlemen of Mobile had come down the bay in steamers to witness their proud old "Admiral" goble up & sink the savages of Admiral Faraguts fleet - Well he got snugly taken in & if his beard really anoys him he can surely find a "Barber" among so many "Barbarians"
