Camp Near Petersburg Va

Thursday July [paper cut away]

 

Dear Phemia

                                    I am happy [paper cut away]

reception of a letter from you [paper cut away]

which was received on the 10^th. I also received yours of the 28^th inst. I am glad to receive your letters so correctly and also glad to learn that mine are not delayed. How much true pleasure and satisfaction I find dear Phemia in reading your kind and affectionate letters. They seem to come like a ray of sunshine in the hour of darkness to light up my lonely pathway and as I feel they are the sentiments of a true and living heart, one that throbs with an anxious and tender emotion for my wellfare, they prove a source of much comfort and help me to cheerfully endure all the trials and difficulties that surround me, and I look forward with a bright hope of again meeting the dear little object in whom all my love and affections are centered. 

 

You ask me how our wounded are. I cannot tell you as I seldom hear from them after leaving the battle field. They are taken to

[paper cut away] hospital and all who are not

[paper cut away]rely, are sent from there

[paper cut away] different parts of the comm-

[paper cut away] some of the sick and wounded

of the 148^th regt are in Fort Monroe, Point Lookout, Washington, Alexandria, Elmira, Rochester, New York, and many other places. Dan Readfield I learn is in N.Y. and I presume has reached home by this time. Mr. Turner has not been heard from since the time he was taken prisoner and probably will not be until an exchange is affected. It seems from your last letter that you had a prospect of passing the "4^th" very pleasantly. I hope you enjoyed yourself. I am really glad to know that you are able to ride about and not be confined to one place, and I am also glad to hear that you have no more of that peculiar form of disease you spoke of, and feel that you are entirely well of it. That / seemed to be the worst part of your sickness and I have no doubt that you will soon enjoy good health. Do not get discouraged if you are not strong enough to walk [cut away]

Remember it has been [paper cut away]

had the full use of your [paper cut away]

become well otherwise [paper cut away]

in walking, if not too much at a time, I think will be sure to bring back your natural strength. You ask where I passed the "4^th" I passed it at an exhibition in the front line of earthworks near Petersburg where the main thing or most interesting to be seen was a determination to maintain the Union, and if I did not pass it pleasantly, I can say it was at least passed cheerfully. We still remain where we were when I wrote last which was on the 7^th no definite move has been made in some time, but our lines are so near the enemies that skirmishing is going on all the time, night and day, which occasionally increases to the dimentions of a battle for a short time and then dies / away to an occasional shot on either side. I am unable to give you much information in regard to what is being done or what will be done, but I hope some final

[paper cut away] will be arived at soon

[paper cut away] days at the front, and

[paper cut away] which gives plenty of time

[paper cut away] will try and write to you

[paper cut away] have such a good oppertunity

and as often as I can conveniently other times. I am very grateful for the paper you have sent me, but you need not be at the trouble to send me any more at present, for I can get it here now. It is only when we are marching and moving often, that we are deprived of an opportunity of buying it, for at such times the sutlers do not keep up with their regiments. We have had but very few casualties in the Regt. since the 7^th and none in my company for some time. The health of those from Hopewell are generally good. I am always glad to hear from you dear Phemia but donot injure your health by writing too much. I am glad to hear that my likeness is some company for you. Your photograph is my constant companion. I do not know how I should get along without it unless I had the original for a companion. May Heaven bless you always. Truly your affectionate Friend

Russel F. Wright

 

To Miss Euphemia O. Gillet                                                  

 

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It is very warm and dry here. we have had no rain since we came here, or not enough to scarcely lay the dust. Please tell me if you intend to pass the summer in Broome C^o. tell me how your sister Miss is if you have heard from her recently. Russ

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