Head Quarters 3^rd Brig.

Near Bermuda Hundred Va

May 26^th 1864

 

Dear Parents,

                        I designed writing to you sooner but put it off until yesterday evening and then I did not feel well enough. I had quite a sick turn last evening so that I had the doctor in the evening. But I was better this morning Have been around to day part of the day

 

            We are getting quite strong defences here now. a part of the force I suppose will leave here tonight, or tomorrow. Our division is to stay. Brigadier General Terry commands. I understand Generals Butler and Gilmore are both going to stay here but am / not sure about them. What will be next I do not know some strange move I suppose. think very likely may have a little fight here some of these fine mornings. But the same hand that has preserved thus far is still able to preserve, if it is best. and he doeth all things well therefore will we never fear

 

Silas E. is well I believe, but he like all the rest are pretty well tired out.

 

            The duty has been very fatigueing, and I do not see much prospect of improvement, as some of the force is going away now to reinforce Grant, although I suppose most of the duty now will be picket, probably some more shooting yet, I find my experience thus far on the staff much easier than in the regiment although there are some things about it I do not like. The Colonel is a very kind and pleasant man, so far as I can judge now. The man I / am in tent with is a Captain Amory formerly of the 24^th Mass Vols but lately been appointed by Congress as an Ass't Adjt Gen. I like him best of any of the staff. There are two officers of the 11^th Maine Col. Plaisteds Regt., a first Lieut S[blank] by name and sec Lieut Mason, another officer of the Tenth, Q.M. R A Fowler, and a commissary from the 97^th Penna Vols. I have not got my horse yet. am expecting it every day now. My requisition has been in for several days a week in fact. We have been having very pleasant weather for a week past Last evening we had a shower and again this evening, which does not improve the traveling in the least it takes but very little rain here in Va. to make traveling bad the soil is clay and a little rain and a large amount of travel make the roads almost impassable. It seems to me this is the most slippery mud I ever saw / without exception. I think we have the best water here of any place we have ever been since we have been out. It comes from springs which are found in the ravines which abound here. The banks of the rivers are high and every little way are broken by deep ravines the sides of which are very steep nearly if not quite impassable. this fact makes our defence here much easier.

 

            We get papers here a day old. we get papers of the 25^th, yesterday, tonight so that we keep pretty well posted along.

 

            Then if any great success is gained we get a dispatch from Secretary Stanton communicating the fact to the troops here. any such thing as that we get here as quick as you, it is telegraphed to Fortress Monroe, and a dispatch boat brings right up here so that it is here about as quick as the papers can get it out.

 

I am feel a little dull and sleepy tonight guess I retire

                                                                                   

Your son

William

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