Sunday Evening 9 O'clock

 

Quartermasters Office 3^d M^d Battn

near City Point V^a Aug 7. 64

           

My dear Hester

           Having nothing to do this evening I thought I would write you in answer to yours of July 21^st & 30^th which I received Friday evening

 

            I am sorry to learn that you have been drafted; indeed I think you have a right to complain, having a severe cold is enough, but to make matters worse you are drafted and think that your chances for getting a substitute are slim. what a pity it is that I am not at home now, to fulfill my promise of going substitute but perhaps some gallant young man will volunteer to go in your place but if you fail in getting one and come out here, just let me know of your whereabouts and I will try and give you a call 

 

            It would afford me a deal of pleasure to accompany you to Elizabeth but I do not know how to manage affairs so as to get there unless I should chance to get a wound and I do not fancy that very much but still I will tell the Col what you say and perhaps that will do the thing for me and if it does not, why there will be no harm done

 

            Capt Littlejohn arrived here last Monday and is for the present stopping with me. his wound is not well yet; and I think he was very foolish to return here before it was entirely healed up.

 

            On the 30^th of July our forces met with rather a severe repulse on their assault on the enemies works, our little Regiment lost twenty-five in killed wounded & prisoners which reduces our number to forty five fighting men, what do you think of that for a Regiment. The cause of the repulse is said to be the poor behavior of the Niggers but from / what I can learn they are not the only ones to blame. Last friday just before dark the Rebs tried the same plan that we failed in on the 30; and with no better success that we met with on that day; They had mined one of the forts in the 18^th Corps, but fortunately for us it was discovered the evening before and the guns were taken out of it, and wooden ones (Quakers) put in their stead and our men were kept prepared for the Johnnies whenever they choose to come. 7 O'clock the explosion took place and was immediately followed by the Rebs charging on our works, but they were welcomed with such a volley of musketry & artillery that they broke and fled in disorder. they rallied again however and a sharp fight ensued, which was kept up till late in the night; our losses were very small, while that of the enemy is supposed to be very heavy and I have no doubt that it was, as they fought in an open field and our men behind breastworks. no doubt this will be stale news to you when it arrives, as the newspapers will have given you all the particulars, but you seemed to like / war news and I thought I would write a little. The old quiet along the lines is again resumed but another charge is expected daily

 

            I think you are very complimentary in saying that you think I am becoming quite sociable in my letters I am glad to hear that and have tried to make this one sociable also and I hope have succeeded

 

            My health is improving I am almost entirely well of the diarrhea, but cannot say how long I will remain so. The heat here for the past few days has been almost insufferable, it is impossible to do anything from 8 O'clock in the morning until after dark and the dust is about one foot deep.

 

            My sheet is very near full now and my stock of news is about run out so with my love to you I will close

                                                           

Remaining as ever

Yours

Bob

SOURCES