No 3 from Va.

Head Qurs 'E' Co. in Rifle pits

Near Petersburg Va. Aug 12-64

 

My Dear Friends.

                        You will see by this that we are once more to the front. We received our orders last Saturday night to report immediately to the front. I had just finished my last to you when I received the order to have 'E' Co ready to move at dark.

 

            We expect to be relieved tomorrow evening, do not know positively, but hope so. there is a continual fire kept up on our front line all the time, heavyier nights than daytime.

 

            I have got so used to the screaching & hissing sound of bullets that one can go within two or three inches & I not notice them at all. 

 

I went on picket wensday night, was on 48 hours. we was not allowed to fire unless the rebs advanced but on the right of us they kept up a continual fire all of the time so the rebs would not let us alone & we had to keep prety close. The first night I was on I was going around inspecting the guard & line when I stoped in one pitt to look out of one of the small loop holes when whizz went a shot right through one corner of the hole filling my eyes & face so full of dirt I could hardly see. I have had them strike all around me and it seems allmost impossible for a person to go around & not get hit. I have had three of my men wounded since we went into the pits, one through the left hand, the other had the two first fingers of his right hand shot off / the other was shot through the right wrist, has had to have his hand off. the one that was shot through the left hand will have to have his hand taken off.

 

We have War here in all of its horrors and realities. I almost wish now that I never excepted a commission or any other thing in the army. I believe when a person has served his three years that is enough, but I shall not complain. I am in now and will see it through unless something will see through me first

 

            I see by the papers that there are a lot of new Regts. going to be organized there in the State. I wish I could get in the Quartermasters department or rather a R.Q.M. (Regt QurMaster) it is a responsible place but still I would like it. I believe I know enough of the ropes to work one of / kind and if I do not now it would not be long before I did could learn.

 

            Do you think there is any use of trying for such a position, or any in those new Regiments.

 

            That money was all safe. I am almost sorry now that you sent it. I have no use for it here. when I sent for it I thought we would stay in Camp Casey, but down here to the front a person can have no use for money, the less he has about him the better. I expect we will get payed off soon. there are rumors of the Paymasters being around. I dont know whether they will pay us or not. I dont care much any way. The day of "Fasting & Prayer" was observed here about as much as any such day, or Sunday is in the army. in fact, I did not know what was going on that day. I knew that something was up for we had the order that there would be no drill. about sundown it got through my head.

 

The men here in the Department are discouraged at least to some degree. The Generalls have no confidence in the men & they cannot expect the men to have any confidence in them. At least that is the case of Genl Meade They all have confidence in Gen Grant but as to Corps commanders they do not. there are too many jellouses between the Commanding Officers of Corps to get any fighting out of this army. How I wish we had our Western army here or that I was back in my old department, but as I said before there is no use of complaining, it is for 3 years more here or somewhere else. When this campaign is over I shall look for some better times, but a person cannot tell what is going to happen /

 

[front margin & overwritten]

 

Well my paper is full & I must bring this to a close. I am back to our old camp. came back this morning to make out one of these 1001 reports that has to be made out. I have got that done & had my dinner, and am now waiting for the Adjt who came back with me to make out one of the same kind. You must give my best respects to all friends especially Mrs B. Love to all of the folks "When" we get back where I can I will do more writing & have longer letters. untill then I will have to do just as the times will admit. write soon & as often as you can            Frank.

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