In the trenches near

                                                                                    Petersburg Va. July 19^th 1864.

 

Dear Mamie

                        Yesterday I received your first letter from Norwich I had written you the day before but mailed it to Westerly This therefore will be only a repetition of what that contained but probably you will not receive that in some time

            It has rained “quite smart” during the last twenty four hours & I assure you it is not very pleasant the mud in the pits yesterday was about knee deep & one has no chance to dry himself. I am just getting dry. Last night the rain poured down incessantly upon me while I was asleep nevertheless I dreamed of home/

 

I have been sick for about a week but am better now The “Death Grip” (as our hold upon them is termed) has not been broken yet A considerable degree of quiet degree of quit prevails most all of the firing is from Artillery. We have just got a 300^th mortar to work upon them which annoys them considerable. There is considerable musketry firing some days I fire away 100 round of catridges There are about the usual number of killed & wounded but for the past week the 21^st has been very fortunate not losing a single man We have just Court Martialed two Captains belonging to this Regt Belden & Latham they were tried for an old offence I do not know what their punishment will be probably severe/

 

I have had no communication from John since the 7^th But I hear from other letters that he figureses large Sports Shoulder Straps. something he never done here—Well I suppose its all right!! How does the high prices affect the people at home? How much does Ben get a day now? & how does all the folks enjoy life? How is Aluisa Ida & the baby I wish I could be at home for a short time this summer but that is among the impossibilities unless I should be unfortunate to get a “pill” I have escaped thus far & hope I may till the war is over or at least till my time is out Tell Ben that he must get ready to come on the next draft. If I should happen to get discharged I will/come as substitute for him I like it so well—I hear Fred Coats has got a boy They are all getting ahead of you but you need not fret about it There is time enough yet Tell Ida I want her to write when you do! I must close to send in the mail—Hereafter direct via—Washington I shall get them one day sooner—Write as often as you can I have had but one letter from you this month I think the Rebs got some of your letters when they captured that train Remember me to mother & Aunt Abbie and all the family tell John Haley to write to me & I will give him some of the details of the war here

                                                Court

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