Battle Field 17 Maine Regt

                                                                                    Between the [?] & James River

My Dear Wife                                                                                                 May 31.1864

 

                        This makes the 7^th letter I have written to you since this great running fight commenced up in the Wilderness. we are now within 13 miles of Richmond, and we expect to Celebrate the 4^th of July in Richmond we entrench ourselves as we go along. it is one continuous line of brest works all the way we have come about 75 miles through through blood & fatigue. pencill would fail me to describe any thing like the reality. last night we gave them a tremendious shelling in the center where we are while our forces oponed on our right & left we feel sure of conquering through Gods blessing. I have found it very precious to trust in Jesus all through this terable campaign. have often thought of you and your prayers, and the prayers of my dear Christian brothers & Sisters and the Sabbath To [?] during my severe struggle with our common foe. have found it blessed to love all man/[?] to pray for our enemies & fight on for our beloved country. although I was sick when we left camp and have been sick ever since but by the mercy of God I am still alive. we have much more hard work to do before the rebelion is checked and stout hearts to do it thank God. Our Regt has suffered pretty severly. we had 469 when we left camp now we have left of them about 150, but a little larger than one company and your husband is one of the spared ones. who will say God is not merciful unto us. Co F had 40 men when we left camp now they have but 7 men. Co B has lost 21 men our company have suffered most of any in the Regt.

 

I have received but two letters from you since we left camp and none from Bro Sturdivend—or any one else. should be happy to hear from some of them. I have no doubt they have written. our mail communications are very uncertain/

 

How I should like to see my dear family this morning. the little birds are singing praises to God and every thing looks butiful in nature at this place. only man is vile. and only Jesus can save.

 

                                                Your Husband

                                                            Sergt Daniel Gookin

                                                Co B. 17 Regt Maine Infantry.

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