Letter of Capt. C. Irvine Walker, AAG, Manigault's Brigade Staff.

Hd. Qrs. Near New Smyrna Church

July 3rd, 1864.

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We had quite a lively time all day yesterday, marched all night, and I have slept nearly all day, on the top of all this have caught a bad cold, so you may imagine that I am not in much of a condition to write. But as two days have passed without my writing, I cannot let this pass without writing you that I am in the land of the
living, and tolerably well. At last we have evacuated Marietta, and we are about seven miles south of that point with our faces still to our foes. I don't pretend to
discuss the propriety or strategy of the move. I am not sufficiently posted to form a correct judgment even if such were possible with all the facts in my possession. I am sorry to say that my association with this Army has caused "retreats" or falling back to lose their demoralizing effect upon me, so as it is Genl. Johnston's duty to manoeuvre the Army, and not mine, I trouble myself
very little about such things. Genl. J. says that he has Sherman just where he wants him (so say the papers) but in my limited judgment I think at present Sherman has the best of the game. Never mind, our turn will soon come and
we will have the pleasure of driving Sherman & Co. out of Georgia. * * * *

Our friend, Col. P. has been released from arrest.

Your own *****