Camp of 148^th N.Y.Vols Mon. P.M. June 20^th 1864

Near Bermuda Hundred Va—

 

            Dear Sister

                                    I rec^d your letter written June 6^th this morning every thing all right. The money is very acceptable for I was reduced to 35 cents. I was very glad to hear from home. We are back on the same camp ground we moved from and [paper fold] day before we left for the White House. Arrived here this A.M. Left the front within a mile of Petersburg last night came about half way here and encamped. It was 1 oclock before we stopped last night. I guess we are going to have a little rest now.

 

We had a very severe fight on Saturday I dont know how many the Regt lost. Co "G" went in with only 32. had 2 killed & 7 wounded and yesterday had another wounded slightly, making 10 in all out of the Co. Our Brig advanced next the River Appomattox. Before this we had taken their forts which had command of the ground around. All they had left was rifle pits. We charged their first line You had ought to have seen them run. Some prisoners were taken. They fell back in their next line. We stopped under cover of a ravine They poured a few charges of grape in the but I guess they hurt no one and they soon had to get it out of they way. In a couple of hours we got ready for another chore. We had to go across an open field, forming in under cover of 2 houses. the command forward was given. Our Co had to go between the houses Here they were met by a perfect shower of bullets. the faltered a moment and then went ahead. I had a bullet through my haversack here. The bullets flew every where. I expected to be hit but felt cool / throughout the whole. We only went about 20 rods. the fire was so hot. We fell on our faces The field was plowed and planted to vines and cabbages and between the rows a little furrow had been plowed. You had should have seen me sunk in to it I dont suppose I was very thick. In a little while we had a little hole dug with our cups & bayonets and the dirt pulled up ahead of us so as to form quite a protection I dug mine about 1½ feet deep. We lay here till the next morning when we were relieved before daylight. I will put in an envelope that was taken out of a dead rebs pocket that lay close to my rifle pit. I did not take it out though.

 

Hoff has not been with us at all this campaign. He was sent to Fort Monroe sick I hear he is quite poorly. Some of the Ohio 100 day are here

 

We were so close Petersburg that you can see men in the streets. Our batteries can burn it any time. Before we walk in the place I believe a good many more will suffer.

 

I hear our knapsacks have gone to Norfolk probably we wont see them again till the campaign is over I am going to wash my shirt this P.M. I have just been and washed myself all over and my drawers & socks did not have soap enough for shirt When I came back I found the mail had come & a hat for me I like it first rate just as well as though it had been black. I am feeling quite well. A few days rest would bring as good as new You need not send me any more paper or envelopes now. No letter came with the hat.

 

Write often. Love to all

                       

Your Affect Bro—

Cha^s E Reed

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