in front of Fr Petersburg Virginia

Feb 6^th 1865

 

Mr William Wallace

                                    Dear Sir

it is with pleasure that I am permited to address you with these few lines We are on the front line direct in front of the Rebel fort that was blowen up last July about one mile from Petersburg. We have been here a few days over two months doing the picket deuty and there has hardly a day past by without leaveing a mark in our Brigade by some one geting [?] or [?] we kept up a continuous fireing untill the last two weeks a flag of truce was received which put a stop to musketry fireing in front of our Regiment. But there is some cannonadeing a going on yet and shelling all most every day. this is done to stop [?]ing parteys or to stop the Rebels / from repareing or building up their forts and brest works. We talk to each other and stand out on our brest works and they do the same. But befor the flag of truce was raised we did not dare to put our heads up above the works if we did it would be very sure to get a hole put through it

 

I suppose you Northern people are looking forward anxiously for peace to come soon but for my part I cant say how it will go yet sometimes time I think it looks more favble than it ever has befor. I seen Stephens and three other men come through our lines last tuesday they came through in front of our Regiment under a flag of truce I was clost by them when they come through We had a coach in readness drawen by four gray horses which convayed them to City point which place they took the boat for Washington and it is beleaved by all of us soldiers that thir buisness is to try some tearms of peace /

 

after they got over our lines the Rebels cheered to the top of thire voice for the peace Commisioners. I hope that every one will cry out peace (on honerble tearms) untill it is brought to bare and put a stop to this flow of blood and treasure and be united together again still stronger then we ever was befor. I could return home a happy man

 

Mr Wallace will you please send me thre pounds of plug tobacco, this kind we call lady twist I have not recived my pay yet from the goverment yet and I expect that we will not get paid untill March or April and wee are out of money, and the tobacco the sutlers keeps is very poor and they charge us two dollars per pound if it was good I would not mind the price so much But it is not fit for use, and if you will be so kind as to send me three pounds of the plug twist / and my wife will pay you for it send it by mail some of the boys has had tobacco sent I think it costs 30 cents postage and one dollar for the tobacco per pound. But it matters not how much it costs if you will oblige me by sending it with the next mail I hold the office of inspecter of arms now. My wages is 52 dollars per month and there is six months pay due me now and my bounty, or one enstalment of it 34 dollars. I will close, and await an answer soon

 

                                                                                    Truly Yours, &c.

                                                from                                        L H Dilley

                                                Co B. 51^st Regiment, penna. vol

                                                1^st Brigade 1^st Division 9 Army Corps

                                                                                    Washington, D.C.

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