Camp near City P^t, Va.

Sunday July 31^st/64.

 

My Dear Mother

                        It is very warm but I must try to scratch you a few lines as quite a period of time has elapsed since I last wrote you. I shouldn't have written yet but I feared you might worry about me, but I am forked end down yet, enjoying excellent health, and a tremendous appetite, & the best of it is I get plenty to feed it. There is some indications of rain. I do hope it will pour down for an hour or so. it would be refreshing indeed. last Thursday afternoon our Corps trains were ordered to move across the Appomattox so off we went leaving our quarters behind, expecting to / return to camp in the course of a couple of days or such a matter. We went in Park about a mile the other side of the river, where we remained until last night after dark, when orders came to return to our old quarters. What such a move was intended for is hard to tell but I judge it was to fool the Rebs, making them believe our Corps had returned & was massing on their left. last night another large train was crossing the river, or rather late in the afternoon. The enemy can see our pontoon bridge & anything that crosses it.

 

            There was quite a lively time in front of Petersburg yesterday morning & various reports were in circulation throughout the forenoon of yesterday, to the effect that / our lines had advanced & held a portion of the City &c also that we had blown up two forts, which proved to be true. we also took two lines of works but were unable to hold them. I do want to hear from you I can assure you, it is almost a month since I have received a letter. L^t H. D. Bookstaver got leave of absence for four days to visit the Division he left for Baltimore this morning he will get our mail if it hasn't been lost. I am of the opinion that it is all lost, it has been so long now. The Boys are getting supper I must stop writing & feed my horse. we have had some first rate hams since we laid here. we draw of the Post Commissary & he will if we desire issue / ham in place of pork. we have also had new potatoes pickled cabbage, pickled cucumbers &c. dont we live gay, dont you wish you was a Soger. it would be all very nice if it wasn't for the iron & lead that whistles around I suppose you think but you would soon get used to that music & feel lost if you couldn't hear the old shells scream once in a while. I have become so accustomed to hearing them that I dont feel at all at home when everything becomes quiet, but I will not longer detain you I have tried hard to scratch you a long letter God grant it may find you in as good health as it leaves your little Boy. My love to you & John God bless you all. Trust in God & all will end well   Albert.

                                   

remember me to all

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