Charles Roberts to Maggie Roberts & John McKee (15 August 1862)

              Chattanooga, Aug 15th 1862"
My dearest Wife,
I arrived here last night on the cars
from Rome - our horse will be here tomorrow and then
I presume we shall move over the river on the 
Nashville road The journey has been long and fatiguing
and I have got so dirty and ragged that I scarcely
expect to look decent and clean whilst in the army - 
We are now within twenty eight miles of the enemy
and I presume as soon as the army is reorganized
that we shall advance upon them - I look for nothing
but active service from now until winter and I am
in hopes with good result to the Confederate cause -
We brought our guns and ammunition from Rome on platform
cars and we had to crowd in amongst the guns as best
we could. We are now at the Depot waiting orders to 
unload and it is anything but a desirable place
for there are guards everywhere and we can scarcely
move from our cars without being stopped by them -
Water is very scarce and we can barely get enough to 
drink and washing is out of the question. When we get
to our camping ground however we shall have plenty
and I am then going to make an effort to get clean -
I have not had an opportunity of [sending] to the P O 
as yet but will try and do so during the day and
I hope to find a letter from you my dear Maggie -
It is so long since I heard from you that I am very
anxious t learn how you and my little darling are
doing. My thoughts are constantly going back to [home]
and those dear ones I have left behind - I would give
much to be with you my dear wife, if only for a short
time and I think if the war be of long continuation that
I will have to [employ] some of my friends at home to
get me an appointment at some of the Hospitals or Quartermaster’s Dept - One
of our Co_ was appointed clerk of the Hospital at
Grenada last week - He is not discharged from