Before Petersburg Va

Monday, Aug. 22^nd 1864

 

Dear Sister

                        It is some time since I received your letter and if I have neglected writing it has been because I did not know whether you were home or in Baldwinsville I suppose of course you have heard occasionally of me by way of home. I have had a pretty busy day summer and and I could not tell you of all the marches and countermarches I have made in one day. Since the Battle of the Wilderness on the 6^th of May there has not been a day I believe but what I have been / within sound of musketry and a great many days within range We have been very fortunate in not losing more men, but we have been out a great deal in the night and have always had a good chance to dodge behind works It is more than I can do to guess at Grants plans. I do not believe he can ever advance here and I hardly think he will try it again. I have been along our lines about two miles of them most every day, and know it would be impossible for the rebs to drive our men out of them. Some of our works are supposed to be undermined and there has been other works thrown up in rear of them and if they ever / do try to charge us they will be sorry I think. They have had longer to strengthen there works than we, and they know enough to improve there time I cannot give you any idea how it looks at the front It is the greatest sight I have ever seen. The two armies are so near together and there has been such an immense amount of shoveling.

 

            There was some fighting on the left yesterday forenoon about five miles from here. I see about four hundred prisoners, fat, dirty, and saucy as ever. Our camp is a mile and a half in rear of the front. we are in the woods and have a pleasant camp. 

 

The weather has been cooler the last few days and the flies have mostly disappeared I have been in pretty good health all summer. I am about as healthy as any one in the company and stand the marches as well. I hope Milton will be well when I get home I have not seen Daniel lately. I see in the papers that he was wounded at the time of the explosion It sounded very loud here Hoping that I may live to see you again sometime I will bid you good bye for now—             Jerome

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