N. Petersburg Va.

                                                                                      Aug 8 1864

 

            Dear Mother

I seat my self to pen you a few lines to let you know I still continue well and hope those few lines may find you all the same

 

            But Mother this world seems to be full of trouble for us but it is as God directs therefore we must bear it with as much pacience as posable but it seems hard very hard to have one taken from us that we loved as we did that Son and Brother although he died in a good Caus but we cannot help mourning his Departure although we know he has gon to a better land. Mother you must not let this Blow overcome you Bear it with pacience, it is hard it is hard but we must console our selves with the hope of meeting them all in a better land some future day.

 

            I expect to leave the Regt in a day or two going into a Bat of Sharpshooters whitch is to be organized in the first of this weak the duty is going to be much easyer and the danger not so great. My rifle came last night I have a splendid rifle one of Peavy’s make. I got Sergt Dave Overbeck to get it for me it was prety costly but if I get home alive and well I wold not take three times what/had to pay and I want the pleasure of knowing that I have bin the meanes of [paper fold] killing one of them Eavle looking Rakes of the world, and I have got a gun now that if held on a line with one 1/2 mile distant will pick his Eye it can’t miss I wold stand a better chance of further Promotion if I wold stay where I am but what does that amount to it will pay me just for next winter getting rid of night Duty and being at Div H.Q. no will get more and better [paper fold] all chance of skirmishes and night Duty.

 

Mother will you send me a quarter of a yard of cotton flanel, 1/4 yard of fine linen one for patches for the [?] one for to wip it in side

 

Every thing is very quiet here now [?] in our front the 9 a.c. Keeps up a fire the most of the time I presume you have seen the ac’t of that fort being blown up. there has been one blown up since [?] at least the Jonies tried to blowing one for us but [?] was little to smart for them, he dug a hole most down to their [?] and when they toutched it of it blew up through this hole they came in on a charge but was hurled back with a heave lose I do not know the perticulars

 

I will now come to a close. Good Day I remain Most Respectfully Your Afft Son

 

                                                                                                Sergt A. E. Titus

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