No 11 or 10

No 10

Head. Qurs. Co. E 38^th Wis Vol Infty

In the Trenches before Petersburg Va Dec 5 1864

           

My Dear Friends.

                        I secured your letter dated 18 some time ago and also Aunts letter with the Photos in but you will see by the heading of my letter that we are once more in that most miserable of places, the trenches before Petersburg, the same place we were in last summer (in August) only now we have to stay in the trenches all of the time, when last summer we did not only part. There is about as much fireing now as then, but it is done by the pickets. The front line of works that we used then we have now for our pickets. we are in the second line supporting the forts. we have a great pleanty of shells over our way. day before yesterday they threw good many "Camp Kettles" (as the boys call them) thrown over our camp by the rebels at a battery of 32 pounders that are just in the rear of our camp / one of them burst just over our camp but did no injury. the pieces flew rather thick. I was not there, being out further towards the front, or rather on picket. I have learnt one thing since I have come here and that is to dodge rebel sharpshooters bullets. I first commenced the next day after we got here. We were to work putting up a "Boomproof" when one of them sharpshooters got sight of my red shirt (I being in my shirt sleaves) when "zip" went a bullet over my head. I did not pay any attention to it but went around and commenced shoveling. just as I stooped over "zip" went another, just missing my neck. It went so close that I felt the air as it went by. there were severall more fired over but none came any where near us. The next time was when I was on picket. The squad I had charge of were put on the reserve which was just in the rear of the front line. during the day time our sharpshooters are out on this line fireing at the rebels. I have nothing very particular to do I thought I would / go up where they were and see what they were doing. one of them had a good field glass which he let me take. I soon found out where the rebel was hid and then came the sport. I got one of them guns and opened on him, while one of the others watched with the glass. my first shot went way over him and struck in their works. this drew his attention but he did not care to reply but just watched. I lowered the sight to 500 yds and fired again. this time it went to one side of him and while we were watching him "zip" came his reply over our heads. Two more besides myself now got range on him. one of them fired and he replyed again. we fired severall times before we got good range. just to the left of the little hole I was fireing through was another, but not so well concealed as the one I had been useing. I put my gun through and raised up to get sight. I just caught the flash of his gun when I droped down and "zip" went his bullet right through the fort hole. the boys all said / that it was ment for me. I thought that I would have reveng on him so I went back to my old place and fired . he waited untill the ball had passed him when he raised up. just as his head showed itself above the pit I fired again which made him dodge lively. you see I had the advantage of him as I could fire seven times without stoping more than a second to load, while he could fire only once. I had one of "Spencers Sevenshooters", got very good range on him and finally drove him out of his pit as it was too warm a place for him. I dont know whether we hurt him or not nor care either, if any thing I hope I did. Well the box came all right I received it on the 23 of Nov. day before Thanksgiven. the shirts suited first rate, so did every thing else. we just finished the pickles. Of course you want to know how we spent Thanksgiven. Well—It was very pleasant and warm, did not have any thing to do all of the Officers got out in "dress suits" and visited around, waiting anxiously for those Turkeys and fixings that the Ladies of the North were going to send us. The day wore allong but no dinner came. About 3 oclock I had a call from Adj^t Watrous of the 6^th Wis (formerly of Appleton) and other Officers, passed a very pleasant afternoon with them. About 8 oclock in the evening the Commissary came around and told us to send over after some apples. We got about bushell for our Company. well that did very well. next morning the Turkeys came. we got over 5 barrels for the Regt. the men had a good big meal which they enjoyed "hungely"—and many thanks were uttered to the generous donors who so kindly remmembered "We Soldiers in the front". every thing passed off very quietly and pleasant. About noon the Officers were remmembered by a large turkey and chicken being left at their doors, so you see that the Privates and men were served /

 

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first and no complaint could be made of the Officers monopoliseing all the best that came around.

 

You must excuse this long delay but I could not answer very well before. I might have answered Caties but the next day the box came and something took up my time so that I did not get at it, but here I have had no place to write, but had to wait untill we had a place where bullets could not fly and disturb us.

But my space is getting small and I will have to close hopeing that you will except this long one in the room of those that should have been written

 

You must give my best respects to all who inquire for—

                                                                       

—Yours—

Frank.

 

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One thing I almost forgot and that is I want you to send me by mail the best pocket diary 1865 you can find. Tell Catie to exchange photos with Miss Cathells for me.—

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