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In the field Va, June 5^th 1864

Sunday

 

            Dear Sister

                                    Here I am in the rifle pits in front of the Rebs. They to are in in pits about 200 yards in front. Their bullets are whistling over our heads quite lively. Some of our boys are amusing themselves letting Rebs have some of balls, others are boiling coffee (it is noon) once in awhile one on our side is hit one fellow just below was shot through the head this A.M. I wrote you tuesday we were then at the White House I wrote you about our leaving Bermuda I suppose you have got that. We left the White House the same day joined Grant's army the next day. Thursday Friday we went into a fight. Our Div / charged the Rebel works were repulsed since then we have lain in rifle pits are digging up. Our loss was quite heavy probably will reach 150 in killed and wounded. This is our Regt alone. Lieut Adams is wounded in two places in the face & arm I believe they are not serious I have not seen him since Co G have lost none in killed yet

 

I dont know where we are have not seen a paper in a week. I believe we are near Gaines Mills where McClelland fought two years ago The boys are getting pretty well fagged out as they are up day and night. Take a nap when we can catch it. Sleep on the ground with nothing over us through wet or dry. No one seems to take cold We had to leave our knapsacks at the / White House have no clothes with us except those on our backs I dont know when I shall have a chance to wash these. If you had not sent me this paper probably you would not hear from me now. Tell Dr Pauls people how it is that I have nothing to write letters on and cant get any thing here You might send me two envelopes and sheets in a letter I guess till we get where I can get them. I am very thankful that I have been spared so far. I suppose that there will be no end to this till Richmond is taken or Grant is whipped. It looks rather discouraging to me. The Rebs are fortified so strongly I wish Sam could send me hat. One of the ounce hats. You can do it up like a paper / the postage is only 15 cents These caps are bad things in the sun. One of our boys had one (a hat) sent him the other day got it all right Direct your letters as before 2^ond Brig 2 Div Fort Monroe Va. I dont know when I shall have a chance to send this Write often I would write more often while we are here if I had paper. I dont know when I can write again for this is all I have got. Dont worry about me for we will have to take things as they come If it is my lot to fall it is in a good cause.

 

Love to all, particularly to Willie

                                   

Your Aff'ct Brother

Charles

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