I will write you. A few days ago I was bragging that I had never fallen back & all but that is up. I have never fallen back at all until this morn. I have moved about two miles to the left I should think.
     I wanted to ride in the Ambulance but there was none, so I did not try to come with the Co. I do not feel that I have had really fair play but there is a very natural reason for it. I want to do my duty as a soldier and shall try to. but I have reached the height of my Ambition as regards being on duty. I have stood to see all the rest of the Co. fall back so I am the last that remained of the boys. I did not get excused from

duty but I did fall back and shall not be backward about taking advantage of any chance to rest myself. I am not very well today but I am unwell with a disease that I trust will have left me by tomorrow.
     I have no desire to imitate any superiors and hope I shall never be permitted to. I had a letter from Mother and Delinda [i.e., Delinda Jackson] yesterday morn and it gave me very great satisfaction I am sorry for you to have any anxiety about me but I hope and trust that I shall be spared to return to you my dear friends. I assure you it seems good here. we have a good place. There is no firing on either side although the rebs are out in plain sight on their works and in front of their works. Where we have been the firing has been constant and many of our boys have been wounded and killed

by the detestable picket shooting that I have been writing about so long. It is an excessively hot day. I think the hottest day that we have had. at any rate I feel the heat more. I so love to get letters from home. I expect that before you get this you will hear news from this department but I dont think we shall have to fight here unless they advance on us and I dont think they will. We relieved the 5th Corps and something will be heard from them I trust. I do wish they would send us some of those new men that they are raising. I want a chance to rest until it is cooler weather but if we must advance I want more help to go with. I feel as anxious as ever to hear of all the little things that take place at home. With very much love I remain your unworthy bro

John

Aug 15th
Dear Mother

     I must write you a few lines though I shall be obliged to write a shorter letter home this time than usual. I was glad very to get the letter I did yesterday. nothing gives me more lift or animation than those messages of love from my dear, dear mother. I have indeed sometimes felt that I should like to rest my head on your lap and sleep

--Aug 16th--I sometimes feel as though I would like to be a "child again" but how cowardly to shrink from the labors before us! I must go forward and perform what remains to me to do and when I shall have done my part shall have accomplished my work "like a man" I shall have had a long life even though I should soon fall on the field. "That life is long that answers life's great end"