Head Quarters 3^rd Brig. 1^st Division

South Side of the James river 12 miles from Richmond

June 10^th /64

 

My Dear Parents,

                        Have you changed the directions on your letters or haven't you written, or what can be the matter It will be five (5) days to night since I have heard from you, except that before this I have heard so regular and often I suppose I should think nothing of it. I think the last I recieved was written the fourth of June. But I suppose you are very busy now, and probably that will account for it. I am having quite easy times of it now. scarcely any thing to do except occasionally, when the pickets get engaged, or the artillery, and then we mount our horses and away to the rout, ie, to the fortifications, and around to the different / regiment to see that they are all ready to move out and take their positions, in case the enemy come down in earnest, and that is about all we have to do.

 

            Yesterday Colonel Hawleys (the 2^nd) Brigade moved in the direction of Petersburg, and went within three or four miles of that place, and halted while the cavalry made a circuit round in the rear to the railroad and it is said destroyed a portion of it. wether they destroyed any or how much I am entirely unable to say. have some doubts myself but I hope it is so I am sure any thing that will bother the rebels.

 

            While they were out yesterday there was a demonstration made along the lines here with the artillery to which the rebels promptly replied throwing into our camps near us here, but we were out the front watching the progress and the effect of the shells. we could not see our own explode so could not judge. But the rebels burst theirs very well, and many of them very accurately. I did not here of any / casualties resulting from them however.

 

            In the afternoon a rebel tug came down with a flag of truce. at the same time their gun boats a few miles up the river commenced a canonade but for what purpose is unknown. I believe the boys in the regiment our boys are all well. Silas E has been suffering some what with toothache for a few days past.

 

            I expect to get a letter to night, and the express is coming up from Fortress Monroe today, and I expect my box. so I guess I will leave this until after the mail comes I asked William a day or two since when he was going back to Connecticut, he says he is ready to go back now, but he will wait till I get ready to go. William Rutherford says he is ashamed to write, it is so long since he has written, and he has no excuse for not writing.

 

            Evening. Agreeably to my expectations I recieved both my letter and box. My letter mailed the eighth, and my box was all safe, and nice some of the / apples were nearly spoiled by decay. the cake was fresh and nice. the nuts and the contents of the tin can I have not tried yet, though I have not the least doubt they are both very nice as every thing must be that comes from Connecticut.

 

My boots are here on my feet. I am only sorry on getting possession of them that I had not had a light half sole put on. I am afraid that unless I can get them fixed they will not last as long as they ought, or, as I wish them too.

 

About those things for St Augustine, you may keep until you here something further do you know the reason they came back with the extra charge? I shall write and inquire about them.

 

I think now I shall have my blouse and vest sent down as soon as they are done, and at the same time, the box of collars, and the hat I sent home and two or three pair of socks packed in a box or bundle just large enough to contain them, and send on. the straps that I got when home can be put on the blouse, the blouse will answer for dress coat & I do not know but I will have the pair of pants too. But I shall write again before they are sent. We are so uncertain what we shall do that I hardly know what to say. But I think now I shall want them as soon as they are ready. If there there is any thing else to send it /

 

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must be put in a separate box from the clothing I guess Silas E. has been going to send for some things I do not know as you can send any thing. I am in a mess here composed of Col. Plaisted and his Staff. If you have any thing you can send let me know & I can sell it to the mess

                                                                                   

Your aff son

William

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