Camp 10^th Conn. Vols.

SomeWhere in Virginia

May 11^th 1864       

                                         

My Dear Parents,

                        I returned from picket but a short time since having been out forty eight hours we went out sunday night, and they were so busy they did not have an opportunity to relieve us so much business on hand. Saturday we went out several miles and destroyed the railroad and telegraph sunday we moved camp. sunday night and monday on picket and had some regt. in our front skirmishing with the enemy expected every minute we should be at the same business. About the middle of / forenoon we moved to the right bank of the [?] river and took a position to wait for the rebels to come. some were wishing they would we had a splendid position we good for two or three regiments very strong position. Near night returned to our picket duty expecting to be relieved but were not there was hard fighting all night in the direction of Petersburg our forces are reported to be near there today the rebels attacked us again but were repulsed I guess with heavy loss. What is to be on the morrow no one knows the rebels may attack us in force. I should not be surprised I expect there will be some hard fighting here yet. we hear to day that Lee is in Richmond or near there and Meade / is right at his heels.

 

            More of the railroad has been destroyed to day. I am as well as can be expected only nearly tired out. if I thought I should get a chance to write tomorrow I should not do it now. But I knew you would be anxious to hear.

 

            We can truly say now that we do not know what an hour may bring forth. Good

                                                                                   

Your son

William

           

You will have to excuse these crow tracks and all other imperfections for it is little I can do any way to night

William

 

I recieved a letter yesterday written the fourth of May was real glad to hear 

 

I mail with this a large envelop containing commission discharge and other articles I do not want to lose. this is a very uncertain place.

 

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Please not say any thing about these pictures coming home

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