Bermuda Hundred Virginia

May 17^th 1864 [overwritten 16^th]

 

My Dear Parents,

                        We returned to our bivouac or camp last evening about nine oclock. we left here last week and were told that we should probably be back the same night, and took but few rations, and we only returned yesterday

 

            We advanced toward Richmond with all our force under Butler.

 

            The first day we advanced about six miles, and stopped for the night in a large open field wheat was on it and looked splendidly.

 

            There was a rebel battery about one mile and a half from here the first of the works of Richmond. none of us supposed we should attack this, as it was said we were supporting a cavalry raid being made by our / Cavalry on the Richmond and Danville railroad, but the next morning a portion of the force under Brig. Gen. Terry started off on a by road and none of knew where. After going a long distance through the woods, some six or seven miles I suppose, through cattle paths fording creeks over hills and through bushes we at last halted, and our regiment formed across the road to support a section (two pieces) of artillery. The rest of the command advanced on the rebel battery, at the same time our guns opening. soon it ceased, and the cry was heard, "our men are in the battery"; forward and away we go for the battery. it was situated on a high and steep hill. as we raised the hill our battery (which was already there) opened opened and the rebels who had got a gun in position on an other hill and replied with great accuracy the first shell bursting directly over our regiment injuring one or two slightly. and soon another followed but not as high as the other / I saw it coming directly for me, and attempted to dodge and saved a leg by the operation, it passing between my legs then through through the company injuring two or three and destroying one or two guns nothing more of importance happened that day, and that night we went on picket a skirmishing was kept up with the enemy until late in the evening. The next morning our forces again advanced, driving the enemy into his works. a skirmishing kind of fight was kept up all day. sunday was very quiet all day. Yesterday morning Monday we got woke up and found a very thick fog could not see but a rod or two. some thick firing was going on which now turned out to be an advance of the enemy on the right on the turnpike road the enemy forced our lines (the eighteenth corps) But the left was good for them. they charged our lines three times, and were repulsed each time. but now as the right was falling back we had to do the same. Our regiment had not been in as yet, but it was now / brought forward formed a line to cover the retreat. soon the rebel skirmishers appeared and we gave them such a reception as sent back a great haste. just then a solid six pound shot from the enemies gun came through our company destroying three muskets and killing one man directly in front of me tearing his head nearly off from his body. such a horrid sight strewing his brains and skull all around the ground at my feet. the ball passed within two or three inches of my left leg plowing up a furrow in the ground just behind me. rifle balls flew like hail but we lost but few men considering all. we were engaged the rest of the day in covering the retreat, had a hard time of it passing back and forth from one point to an other. The boys from our way are all right I believe.

                                                                       

Your son William

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