Seventh Indiana Volunteers

August 8^th 1864.

 

Sandford Speer:

Dear Brother;

              Your letter of the 26^th of July came to hand today, it has been several days on the way. I am very sorry to learn that you & Mollie & Bob are all sick. I hope that this short letter may find you with the others entirely recovered. It is'nt very long now until I will be permitted to come home. I do not know whether our Officers will be discharged when we are or not, I heard today that they would not But my time is getting short. 

 

We are now having a very easy time. Our Regt is now camped about two or three miles south east of Petersburg near the Norfolk & Petersburg Rail-road. There are no rebels very close to us now & we therefore rest easy.

 

            The weather is a little warm. We have very good water & plenty of it.

 

            We have dug wells all over our camps which affords water in abundance. I saw Henry a day or two ago, he is a getting along very well.

 

            We have not recieved any pay for over four months, and I do'nt expect we will until we are discharged. The boys / are all anxious to get home, so anxious that they almost count the hours they have to stay. The Veterans & Recruits will not get to come home with us; I know they will feel bad when we start home. I would if I was in their place. I notice in the journal that Pike Township has to furnish 82 men by the 5^th of September or they will be drafted. I hope the draft will catch some of the butternuts.

 

            But I must close. This leaves me well. And I hope it may find you the same.

 

            Write as soon as you can

 

            I remain as ever

                        Your Brother

                       W. H. Speer

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