Headquarters 148^th N.Y.Vols

Near Bermuda Hundred Va

Sunday May 22^ond 1864

 

Brother Sam

                        This morning I rec^d your letter and Caroline's glad to hear from home as it had been some time since I heard from you. We have just had regt inspection The day is pleasant I dont know as I can write much about the battle we were in monday for I dont know much about it The papers give a full account I dont know but the same weekly Tribune give full accounts if not if you could get hold of the daily you would get the whole. I see the papers dont make it out much of a defeat. I know that the Rebs made us get out of the way although afterwards we advanced / our line nearly to their original position. Our Reg't was in the front nearly the whole five days and when the advanced the 2^ond time after the retreat our regt was the leading one. you will see the style by this diagram

 

[pencil drawing with arrows for direction of movement of "148^th" and notations "the next Regt on right" and "Enemy in woods"]

 

There was one Regt to our left & to the right there were a number all about as far apart. In the edge of the woods the enemies skirmishers were posted. They kept up a brisk fire on us while we were advancing hitting however but few of our men When we arrived within 20 or 25 rods we halted and lay down. Our skirmishers were thrown out. advancing they drove the Rebs before them when we again advanced. Lay in the woods a spell then came back and came into camp. Rested tuesday. Wed, commenced fortifying. Got it fortified / from one river to the other now our position is very strong. before our line we think we could keep back all that could come against us. The Rebs are close by they make a break in our lines every day. It is farther to our right We lay in the Appomattox Thursday night we were up in line of battle three times Friday night was comparatively quiet Last night, the Rebs at 10½ oclock made an attack on our lines or we made a break on theirs I dont know which. It was the sharpest cannonading I have heard lasted only 15 or 20 minutes. We fell in line and marched out about a mile towards where the firing was heard. As every thing became quiet we came back about 1 o'clock. Every morning we form line of battle between 3 & 4 / so as not to be surprised We are in Wistars Brig. Weitzels Div. I heard last night that Martindale was going to command our Div and Weitzel had gone on Butlers staff as Chief Engineer

 

Wistar is sick and got leave of absence Col Steelman of the 11^th Conn is in command of the Brig. now.

 

I wrote you May 8^th, 11^th, & 17^th Hope you will write often I got Post yesterday Get the Dailys every day for 10 cents apiece

 

I dont think much of Butler's generalship, rather have Smith or Gilmore

 

Capt Griswold was severely wounded, has gone to Hampton Hosp. Fort Monroe

 

Send me some stamps

 

Love to all. Tell Willie to study hard            

Brother Charles

 

[front top margin]

 

Enclosed find (5) five dollars genuine Confederate Scrip for Willie. This was taken out of Dr Howletts house

SOURCES