Aug 8. 1862.

Camp near Harrisons Landing

 

Dear Parents.

                        I have received 2 letters from you this one day before yesterday and one last night I thought I would answer them at once and write to both at the same time. Tuesday Sedgwicks Hookers and Raineys divisions went out in 3 different roads to Malvern Hill to suprise and if possible capture a brigade of rebel infantry and a battery which the rebels had there. Sedgwicks Division was to go a round about way and come in their rear and the other divisions was to close up the other 2 roads and when the gunboats opened fire to advance to such a distance from them and remain there. Our division marched / all night steady and when we halted and it got to be fully light we found that were about ½ a mile from where we had the fight on the 1^st of July and comeing down over the same road that we skedadled on the retreat, and going towards the rear of Malvern Hill. We kept on and when we got to the top of Malvern we found that the rebels had skedadled And I will tell you how it was done. The gunboats opened fire and the rebels skedaddled down the road that kearney was coming up and took a branch road off into the country and so escaped us. If Kearney had been sooner enought to have got up to that cross road and formed his line of battle along its edge he would have captured the whole of them for we had an immense force of cavalry with us and could have easily surrounded / them we stopped their until yesterday morning at 1 oclock we started to come away and got into camp at 6 oclock and had 3 things there to do us good. 1^st a ration of whiskey apiece. 2^d the bake ovens done and a heat on to bake us some soft bread in. and 3^d the pay master in camp and we fell in and got our breakfast then fell in and got our whiskey then fell in to sign the pay and last of all fell in to get paid and we have been living high I tell you and that on bread and butter condensed milk in your coffee, and I am going to broil a mackerel (salt) on the coals for dinner 20 cts apiece You will no doubt have $14.00 more to put in for me. I want you to let me know how much I have all together in the bank. Your minatures were excellent ones and E golden and Jim thought so / to. But how fat you are mother you look like aunt lizzie a good deal. Father looks tip top and awful good natured too. Theodore Ames is at home sucking round for a Lieuts Comission but recruiting more I guess than any else. Geo Loring says that he has more than 40 recommendations from influential men at home. I am glad you had such a good time at Lowell for I suppose that you are now at home now How does Sarah feel now that George gone and how does P. C. Edwards feel tickled I suppose. Tell Hattie that I am much obliged to herself and father for their contribution to my box. You must tell Jim's folks that they must write often he has not had a letter since July 14 while I have had one every week. But I am about to the bottom of the sheet and must bring this to a close by sending my love to all and a good share of it yourself. from your affectionate son

Geo. H. Patch.

 

PS I must close and go and clean up my gun and equiments for Inspection to day.

G.H.P.

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