[blue pencil: Lee Surrenders]

In line of Battle Va

Sunday Apr 9^th 1865

 

            Dear Brother

                                    I suppose you are rather anxious to hear from me. Well I am sound yet. We are now laying in line of battle. I dont know exactly where we are, but are probably within twenty five or thirty miles of Lynchburg. Have had hard marching. Stood it well. to day I have a headache caused I guess by loss of sleep. Yesterday we marched till nearly 1 oclock this morning. Started again about 3 oclock. This morning the ball opened. Not very hard fighting

 

Mon. Morn. I had to stop very suddenly yesterday as we had orders to fall in moved through the woods. here we are yet. By the way I forgot to tell you Lee has surrendered his whole / army. when the news came the men gave a cheer and fired their guns in the air. We are on the left of Lee's army I have not seen it. I expect our fighting is done for this summer. We had some very hard marching. two day we marched over 30 miles each day. The first day after we left Burksville we run against the Johnies. While we were forming line of battle, one of our batteries got in position in our rear and fired right over us. the second shot they fired the shell burst prematurely and killed Lieut Jackson of Co I. prematurely instantly. We have had only three men wounded in Co G on the campaign. Yesterday we the regt had three wounded by a shell. it struck right in the ranks and the only wonder is that so few were hurt / we have passed through some splendid country, passed through Farmville a pretty little place on the Appomattox Burksville is not much of a place.

 

I cant tell you much about the movements of the different columns for I dont know much about it. Had no mail since we started hope when it does come I hope I shall have a letter from home. I feel first rate this morning after a good nights sleep. I lost boots when we broke camp Apr 2^d I did not suppose we were going far and expected to return there again. The boots were not a quarter worn I shall buy me a pair of shoes when we get in camp again There is doubt now I guess about my getting home when the reg^t / does if I want to.

 

There is a report that Gen Lee sent word to Johnson to surrender his Army. I expect that all that remains now is to settle the terms. There must be great rejoicing in the north. I have not seen a paper since last tuesday. I dont know when this will reach you.

 

Love to All

           

Your Affct Bro

C E Reed

 

Tues. Morn. I have had no chance to send my letter yet. We still remain quiet Report is we are going to Lynchburg

 

Cloudy and foggy. Roads bad for marching

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