Head Quarters 3^rd Brig. 1^st Div. 10^th A.C.

In the field near Bermuda Hundred Va.

June 16^th 1864

 

My Dear Parents,

                        I recieved a letter from you on sunday or Monday, I am not sure which. I was very glad to recieve it, as it seemed a long time since I had heard, longer I suppose than it really was. We had a day of excitement yesterday; our pickets yesterday morning our pickets discovered that the rebels were abandoning their works in our front They immediately advanced and occupied them while the troops in side our works were ordered out.

 

            Our Brigade on the right did not advance beyond their works except with skirmishers. the Brigades on the left advanced further. The enemy had some force there before night but we kept them in check until near night when we retired to our old line of pickets the one we occupied before being driven back on the 20^th of last May, / that line being established we returned to camp, but it was dark by the time we arrived there. it was quiet all night in our front but the gunboats kept up such a racket all night, that tired as I was it was almost impossible to sleep, every few minutes they would fire one of their big guns which with the echo would would make a terrible roaring. We were all very tired last night and the men were hungry as well as tired, some of them being out without any thing to eat. I was in saddle all day from about six in the morning until night I do not think I was out more than two hours all day. it went rather hard for first day. The Tenth was engaged but very little if at all. although they were on picket the night before and all day they did not have a man hurt as far as I have heard. The Brigade lost a few in wounded, I believe none killed the Brigade on our left lost more severely than we did. This morning before sunrise the rebels attacked our picket and there was quite sharp firing for a few hours, but it has nearly ceased now. only an / occasional shot is heard, a sort of trial to see who is best shot, Johnny reb, or our boys.

 

            I feel but little like writing am tired and sleepy, shall have to give it up I guess.

 

            We hear now that Petersburg is taken by General Grant. and that General Hunter has taken Lynchburg, both important places to be held because both in a great measure control the suplies for Richmond and Lee's army. it seems to me that if we hold Petersburg, Richmond must be evacuated. The Richmond and Petersburg Rail Road is a broad gague road and is the only road leading south over which they can move their rolling stock, (which is in Richmond) south so that they will have to either destroy it or leave it to fall into our hands, whenever the city falls into our hands.

 

            I believe I am getting this letter pretty mixed up guess I had better stop.

                                                                       

Your son

William

Lt 10^th C.V.I. and A.A.D.C.

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