Camp in front of Petersburg

Aug 11^th 64

 

Dear Laura, I rec^d the letters mailed on the 7^th day containing the stamps, for which I am much obliged, but I intended you to keep part instead of sending me more than the money paid for. I am glad that you are well and enjoy your time. I am not well for the last three days. I have pain in my head and bowels, no appetite. I am weak and must sleep too much for good. I am not able to write much but I will try and write as much as possible I think it will do me good. I do not think it will be serious and in a few days I will be well. you must not have any apprehension for me in regard / to my illness. the health of the soldiers is good. the weather is cool and dry. we have not had the usual amount of good rations this week, nothing but pork and crackers. I do not know the cause. the Sanitary does not come to our relief so frequent as before the last battle but we think it will only be temporary. the military situation remains unchanged no signs of immediate operations occasional shot and shell are bursting and some skirmishing in front of the 9^th & 18^th Corps. The prospect of taking Petersburg for the present has passed into oblivion, and we must look for good tidings in another quarter. we have news of great battles in Georgia and a Naval victory in the harbor off Mobile, if time will be of great importance to Grant. / the dead are all buried, and quite restored here. it was a sickening sight to look upon but I will not pretend to describe it, you can hear enough of this at home, and I can spend my time in telling you something more agreeable

 

I think you are right when you say that many battles must be fought perhaps this year, but I am reconciled to my lot, whatever a just God meets out to me. I will most cheerfully submit if I am permitted to come home I know I have those who will welcome me and if I am destined to fall with my comrades I hope to meet you all in a better world. the time seems long but a soldiers life is by no means lonesome, so many together. the time passes by [?] however regardless of the dangerous position we occupy 

 

I should enjoy a few pleasant evenings with you and the young folks of Sunbury. I think I could enjoy it after this long and trying campaign much better than you for this reason, you enjoy it often and myself, once in a long while

 

Sargt. Wireman has sent his picture to Miss Geesler, I wish you could see it, I know you will call him pretty. he dont care for her he does it for grins. dont tell her this or he will give me a pulling it is Campbells fault that he wrote to her. they practice writing to girls they never knew. Sallie Bucher done perfectly right, had she not blamed me. I was innocent but I entertain nothing ill towards her, only at the time I thought she was rather free in her expressions about me. 

 

I had almost forgotten to tell you a little concerning the Army as you wished me to so I will tell you. I can sleep tomorrow and write to you a little longer.

 

            I do not pretend to tell you what progress we may make in the direction of Richmond but I look for some desperate battles. thousands of recruits are coming to the Army and there will soon be a powerful army here, and thousands who are coming will never see the faces of loved ones and kind parents in this world

 

I intend going to Culpepper in the morning to see Brother. I will soon go there, I have a good pony. he will be glad to see me, no doubt, as I have been home.

 

            Capt Ricketts is sick with fever. 

 

I had a pleasant ride to day I went to the Rap Station to see the Reserve Artillery practice at targets. I staid until 3 P.M. and came back to camp.

 

this has been a beautiful day like summer, a few more such days will bring up the blossoms in the trees.

 

tell Joe & Sam I would like to hear from them soon. also has James Arter enlisted or not.

WHThurston

 

[paper hole] that I commenced to write to you as I expected to get a letter from you on the 15^th it may be interesting to you.

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