Camp 5^th Mich. U.V.I

March 28/65

 

Friend Rufe

                        I was very sorry your Business was so pressing you could not find time to reply to my last letter beffore this—Nevertheless I was pleased to have you write when you did also to hear you were right side up with care & doing Business I suppose the draft has created considerable excitement throughout the State however I am satisfied it is the only way to scare them into the army & it is certainly nessesary that our Armies should be kept full. As / it might be our luck to meet with defeat when if our armies had been kept filled up the catastrophe could have been avoided & the war been brought to a close a year sooner than it would be if we should get thrashed like blazes in the coming campaign. the Johnnies undertook to break through our lines around Petersburg on Saturday the 25^th ins^t how well they succeeded you have doubtless heard ere this. Sheridans B.O.Y.S are with us now & you will hear of good news from this quarter ere many days. I should judge by what I can hear that there is a raid in contemplation with a view to open / communications with Shermans army. wether our Division will have the pleasure of going is not definitely known but as it is generaly our luck to go on all such expeditions I think our chances good. I have an idea Sherman will join us. by the (20) of april if not sooner & if such is the case Richmond will be ours by July next providing we are successful. well Rufe I have about run out of news & will close. accept my regards for your future & write soon also give my best wishes to Mr Hills Family & the rest. all inquireing Friends

 

                                                Respect. yours.

                                                            Amos Buttton

                                                Co B. 5^th Mich. U.V.I

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