The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-07-13
From the Nineteenth Indiana.
Ii Fnoyr OF PETERsBUEGH, VA, !
July LIST, 1864.

| July Isl, 1oof.
FsrEsp Wilson received your long looked
! for letter this morning; it found me enjoying
good heaIth-thanks be to God! was glad to
hear that you and family were enjoying the
same blessing when your letter was written.
If knew where James Smock left off when
he last wrote to you, l would commence there,
and give you detailed statement from tina, on
until the present time you have heard OF the
different engagements we have been in-I will
say but little about them.
James Collier told you what we went through
up to the time he was wounded; it has been the
same ever since but, old friend, you can form
no idea Of what we have passed through When
| look back at the vast extent Of country
which we have marched and fought he miles
Of almost interminable forests the swamps we
crossed i the river after river We have passed
over, night and day, It seems almost incredible.
day we would fight the enemy here and by
10 morrow's sun, we would start him miles
away from the battle field Of the previous day.
Flank movement after flank movement was
made, and the enemy was compelled to give up
one position after another until he has at last
come to a stand behind his Publications at this
place.
We drove him back bat many brave boy
has fallen. IL seems marvel that so many of
US still spared. We arrived here on the 18th
Of June on the 18th we moved on the rebel
works, and drove them from two lines, and charg
ed the third; but they were too strongly posted
for Some Of US got to within seventy five
yards Of their works. but part OF our line broke,
and We were compeied to fall back into a ravine
This was about O'Clock in the afternoon. We
had to lay in the ravne until dark exposed to
flank fire all the time, both Of artillery and
Infantry. They killed great many of our boys.
They threw II pound solid shot--it would make
dreadful Eavock. | never want to get into "A
place like 1t again. We had to lay and taae it
what hurt me the most was the groans and
signs of the wounded and dying. 1t was awful
and we did not know how soon we would be
during the same We could not do any thing
for them for to raise up was sure and certain
death. We dug holes with our bayonets and
hands. which sheltered from the infantry fire,
but not the artillery. We thought that night
days; but at last night came; oh, | never thought
men cOulu De SO Rlau. Will remember una
night as long as live.
About one half Of our companions were back
hill throwing up breast-works. All they
could do was to keep the rebels from taking US
prisoners
After dark we gathered up dead and
wounded and moved back to the rear, $50 yards
from the rebel works, and made intrenchments
for ourselves. ! am in them at present writing.
Minnie balls come over and once in while a
shell passes right over our regiment. They are
throwing pretty lively this morning-so | am
very nervous; but hope You will make out to
read this. Whenever you see queer letters, that
is where or when a minnie passed pretty close.
and where there is big mistake, that was caus
ed by a she'll passing over-indeed am consid-
cradle Illustrated, Z" or words to that effect ~
Company f, had three men wounded in the
charge on the 18th James Smock, was wound
ed in the leg-it has been amputated above the
knee. The doctor told me that he was very
low when he was sent away-since which have
heard nothing Of him. l helped to carry him
of the field ard he bore it like true man as
he is. Morris Rorcd wounded in the hip
severly-I have heard nothing Of him. John
Nearly wounded in the hip-slight he is now
doing duty at the hospital. The rest of boys
are all well. Richard Nash is about as he al
ways was. Hamilton is setting opposite, max
ing cigars, and counting how many DAYS he has
to stay yet. He ha. just asked Sullivan which
is the best way to fence Swamp land.
1t is very warm and dry here. We have had
no rain for some time, and water is very scarce
and hard to get.
We are laying behind our works, which are
$50 yards from the rebel works, and tell you
we have to keep our heads down. The rebels
are on higher ground than ourselves, and when
one OF us leaves works for water, do not
know whether we will get back or not, for they
fire at us all the time. Company C, Ind man
killed yesterday evening l will not describe
our works here.
Our men throw shells into the town and their
works from here. The mortars are close to us
and we can every she'll they throw. They
just more than make the dirt fly in the rebels
works. At night they look pretty,-we have
'fre-work' every night.
This is beautiful country. There are some
fine Plantations here, and they are well np-ov.
ed. When we came here, the crops looked
bcautiful: saw some fine wheat-as good as
ever saw. The corn looked fine.
We are on the Suffolk railroad, two miles from
Petersburg.
Your papers were very thankfully received.
We have but little to read, and the time passes
| but slowly when we have no food for the mind
sha! feel myself indebted to you for your con
/ tinued kindness. 1t is now 10 o'clock-the sun
is dreadful warm All is quiet at present on
this part of the line. bu, the artillery Of the OH
corps is firing. Ii is TO the right Of US.
forgot 10 men ion that Capt Nash has been
| sick since the first of las. month |. is very
singular We have such bad luck with Captains
am enjoying 60 he ,lth and hope that YOU
and your fa1.ily are enjoying the same. G DIS
blessing be with you. l still remain your friend
AMI fellow SOLDIER
JESSE II. WAIDLEY.