U. S. Sanitary Commission,

My Dear Mamie                                                         Near Petersburg Aug 17^th 1864

 

                        It has been

a long time since I wrote you last, I have been sick. Am well now When I wrote you last we had just returned from that disastorous fight of the ninth Corps after that I was off duty for (12) days I thought I should have to go to the Hospital but did not. If I had I should have tried to “play” a furlough on to them. There are a large number of the army in the Hospitals now/

 

It is awful warm weather. Even now while I write my clothes are soaked with perspiration I suppose the people at home are wondering why we don’t try to do something to help Ucl Uncle Abe, But it is impossible for men to move The past (2) days have been rather rough night before last we had a heavy rain filling the pits knee deep with water & washing away our camp which was in the ravine below/

 

About all of the (18) Corps were encamped along this ravine & all shared alike the water rose so suddenly that men had barely time to save their lives—Sutler’s shops were washed away with all their contents & the water was filled with adventorous persons after the spoils a large number were while thus engaged drowned some estimate the number lost at (100) after (12) days of sickness I was in the trenches with the Co. I got wet through of course stood knee deep in the water but even now the suffering endured is almost forgotten one has to suffer for his country & the cowards at home/

 

Ones that will inaugurate a war think they dare not help (personaly) carry on Tell them to send on their substitutes we get rid of the useless trash by the hundreds (100) or over deserted night before last from the 11 C.V. “Goo ridance”! In the 8 Co while Gambling over their bounty one stabbed another mortaly there goes two more You sent no letters from Norwich but what I have all ready recd Tell mother I think she got her mowing done very cheap I will send home a good lot of money if we ever do get paid off excuse the way this letter is written accept much love It is no use telling you what I wish for wishing with a soldier does not amount to much        Court

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