North banks of the James River Aug 18^th

 

Dear Father,

                        I recd. yours of the 14^th inst. this morn. and as I am laying idle this rainy afternoon will write a few lines. Am in the same place I was yesterday morn. when I wrote my last and have not stird from here since only I visited the 6^th 7^th and 10^th Connecticut this morn. Did not see any of the B. boys except Taylor who was well as ever Sergt Hill was away sick to the Hospt. it was rumord last night and this morn that Petersburg was ours but donot know as it is true. There is only the 2^nd and 10^th Corps this side the River and I cannot conceive what is Grants plan in keeping us here. It does not look as though we were intending / to stay here as we are not building any works or doing any thing at all all laying idle since Monday and Tuesdays work which were serious days to the 6^th Corps they having lost heavily. Tuesday the Division the Conneticut Regts were in made a charge and captured three line of works But were flanked and compelled to retire as they had no support. The Colored Division allso charged but did not make out much as it is sayed all off their Officers run. The same was the case at Petersburgh with 9^th Corps blacks three weeks ago. It seems the men would do well if they were properly officred Such is the case all through the Army with both whites and blacks. We are meeting with disaster after disaster because of incompetency in Officers. One of our Divisions and a Brigade of Cavalry on the extreme right was with a repulse also on Tuesday and lost / heavily. But we have gained much up here all though lost heavily in killed and wounded. Our lines extend to near Fair Oaks within four miles of Richmond. But it is nearly as much of a Wilderness here as around Spottselvania. We are about three miles from the River. There is very severe cannonading both day and night on our left. Think it is near Bermuda Hundred or Dutch Gap. Feel hearty and am gradualy gaining my original strength and health. Lieut Norton is here (or to the rear) and has had his trial but does not know his sentence yet. Cowles and Latimer are well and tough as ever. The 29^th Conn came here and joined the 10^th Army Corps last night. We have some rain most every day now Crops look well here especially corn We are having good meals out of green corn occasionally. Regards to friends. From your affectionate

son Jimmie H Spencer

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