Near Gains Mills Va.

June the 11^th 1864.

 

My Dear Brother       

            Tis with great pleasure I seat myself to write you a few lines to inform you that I, brother John & Ed, are all well, also the rest of the Company are all well. Hope these lines will find you sister Bell, and all of aunts family all well; also those at home well.

 

I have nothing interesting to write you at this time, as I suppose you have seen the news in the papers. We have had several wounded and one killed in our Co. There has been six killed in the regiment, I do not know how many wounded. We have lost I suppose we have lost some three hundred killed and wounded in the brigade. We have had a tolable hard time since this campain opened, but not so hard as others have had. we were relieved off the / front lines last night, I suppose we will take the front about to morrow night. We have been on the front lines nearly all the time, but we have been very fortunate so far, we have not been regular engaged in the rifle pits yet, we went in front to see the position of the enemy twice. were in the first time under a tolable heavy fire, for a short time. We have been able to repulse the enemy at evry point I hope we will be able to repulse them and drive them back to their own soil.

 

The man killed in our Co. was named John P. Gibron, he lived Judge Barnes. We have lost a great deal of sleep since we left winter quarters. Hear cannons this morning. We are in about 10 miles of Richmond. I hope we all will be spared to meet again on earth, but if not let us all live so if we meet no more that we may all meet in heaven where we shall be happy for ever. /

 

I would of written before now, but we have been pulled and halled about untill we have not had the chance of writing but little to no one. Give all my love and receive the same yourself. Brother John & Ed joines me in love to you all

 

Write soon and all the news.

 

I remain as before your brother untill death. your Brother, E. D. Cheatham.

 

My Dear Sister

                         I write you a few lines as you sed you would not write unless I wrote to you. This leaves us all well hope these lines will find you and all well. I have nothing interesting to write you. I am nearly worn out by loosing sleep and working at night digging rifle pits some nights we work all night long. There has been some nights since we left Madison run Station, What little I sleep was on the battle / field among dead yankees, I have sleep in a few feet of some of them.

 

The poor soldiers see a hard time of it in this world at best. We have been in many a trying point. We have heard hundred & thousands of balls and shells whistle over us. some struck very near me. There are some one killed and wounded evry day. I have nothing interesting to write; I will close; Claiming a answer from you soon. Give my love to aunt and all and receive the same. You all must be sure and remember us all in your prayers. Brother John & Ed joines me in love to you all. I remain as before your brother untill death                          

E. D. Cheatham

 

P.S. Excuse bad writing and all mistakes. yours &c. E.D.C.

            To Mrs. Di. Cheatham

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