Head Quarters 2^nd Brig. 1^st Div

Bermuda Hundred Va

May 21^st 1864

 

Dear Parents,

                        I will again try and write you a few lines, although from daily fatigue and and broken nights I do feel but little like it. I guess this afternoon it is more because I have slept so much, that I feel very dull than for any other reason. I slept until half past two last night and then was turned out to accompany the Col. on a visit to the pickets our Brigade being on picket for twenty four hours commencing last night and to night I am anticipating a good nights rest.

 

            I should say I suppose that I was detailed yesterday morning as A.A.D.C. (Act. Aid D. Camp) to the Colonel (H. M. Plaisted 11^th Maine Vols.) 

 

commanding the Brigade to which our regiment belongs. I do not know how I shall like it. there is one thing I am furnished a horse to ride, and I do not have to go on picket or guard, and there is a good mess so that I have a chance to live very respectably now, and have some better opportunities of seeing and hearing than I did before. those are some of the advantages, what there is against I have yet to learn there will be plenty to do I suppose, but there can be hardly more than there was before. We have scarcely had a nights sleep since we have been here, without being disturbed in some way.

 

            We have exciting times here we are within sound of musket of the outpost and every shot is heard here. there is more or less of it all the time. yesterday there was quite a sharp fight carried on by our pickets and the enemies forces, they trying to force our picket line and they repelling them they got pretty well punished I guess. two Generals were killed one, Generals Evans and Walker / Walker and being a prisoner in our hands minus a leg. They have been very quiet all day today. I suppose fortifying themselves to keep us on this point so we can not go out and destroy their communication again over the railroad which is now in working order or molest them as they pass over the turnpike to and from Richmond.

 

            Wether they intend to do attempt any thing further I do not know, it is generally thought that if they do they will have cause to repent it especially if they attempt to assault our works, which we are continually improving and which have already assumed very formidable proportions. there has been a site of work done since we have been here.

 

            Our regiment still maintains its old reputation as a good old stand by. all confidence is placed in it, both by Brigade commander, and General Terry, division commander if all other regiments fail they expect The Tenth to stand by them and I am quite confident their confidence is not / misplaced. Silas Ed was well when last I saw him which was about breakfast time this morning. When he was starting for picket. But he will be in again in a short time now I suppose. As it is about time to relieve pickets again, and the Colonel has his horse already to start, I believe he does not want but one of us, and one of the others Lieut Mason is going. I do not care much about it as I a little sore after my riding last night and this morning, but I shall get used to it soon. I am thinking some about sending home for a few things I shall not until I find out wether it can be got here or not. In the top of my trunk was a bundle containing a fish line and hooks for Mr F. S. Foster at St. Augustine, Fla., if it can be sent by mail and not cost over fifty or sixty cents I would like to have you send it. let me know whether you send or not, for if you do I'll send a bill to him. those that came from there think he would like to have it, and that at that price it would be cheaper than anything he could get there. We get mails here every day I got a letter a few days since from Father, May 13^th. Was real glad to hear from home in these times of trouble and danger. Remember me to all the friends.

                                                                                   

Your affectionate son       William

 

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