Cobb's Hill, Va.

May 8^th 1864

 

My dearest love.

                        Here I am within fifteen miles of Richmond, in command of the 2^nd Division of the 18^th Corps in Gen^l Butler's army.

 

            On Sunday last while at New York City I received a telegraphic despatch from Gen^l Butler to come right on to Fortress Monroe, to quit all and come right along. I got there on Wednesday morning last, and was at once put in command of the above division. Gen^l W. F. Smith commands the Corps. We have Smith's and Gillmore's Corps.

 

            I went to Yorktown where the troops were all in camp, and all were embarking on boats. On Wednesday evening all the boats started out to Chesapeake / Bay and down to James River and up the James River to its junction with the Appomattox River.

 

            My division was in the advance and followed right after the gunboats. We surprised the enemy so much, as he expected that we were coming up the York River, that we met no opposition at all. My division landed first. We landed at a place called Bermuda Hundred about a mile above the Appomattox river and there marched to Cobb's Hill where I now am with my division. Cobb's Hill is a high hill on the Appomattox near the Petersburg and Richmond railroad. We can see Petersburg easy. My division arrived here on Friday morning last. On Friday afternoon I made a reconnaissance / to Walthall station on the railroad with my 1^st Brigade. I had a fight and lost ten killed and sixty wounded. Yesterday one of my brigades and four others all commanded by Gen^l Brook's advanced and destroyed the railroad and telegraph.

 

            My brigade lost about one hundred. Our total loss was six or seven hundred. We are now awaiting news from Grant. If Grant has whipped Lee we'll advance. If Lee has whipped Grant we'll have to fortify, and will be in a bad fire.

 

            Beauregard is in command of the rebels out here. Give my love to all. I am having a hard time. Nothing to eat but bread and coffee. We are all without baggage &c.

 

            A million kisses for you my dear. I must ride out now to the front / and see what the reb's are doing. I am fixing up my position here for them if a crowd should attack us.

                                                                                   

In the greatest haste

Your ever devoted

Godfrey.

SOURCES