Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-10-26
IL Front OF PArERsBURo, Va,
ToHx HUroH KS, Rse., Nrw oaLEAS.:

| M q NAoAs- 1O0 NlOO0OAg oCN
nothing unlike what you have already
seen. but at least you would have your
patriotism and faith in our success con-
firmed. The present Potomac army il q
very resolute and brave one. Both men
and officers now seem to be more deter
mined and stubborn than ever, to over
throw the rebellion and fight the enemy
until they are well whipped and punish
ed, unless they submit 10 lawful authori-
ty and lay down their arms.
The army is terrible. Il goes forth
with all the preparations of modern sci
ence and skill. The forests give way be-
fore it, the rivers take new beds by its
command. Axes, shoyels. picks. plows
steam excsvafors and engines go along
as its implements. Gunpowder, cannon
mortars, FIRE. telegrsphs and torpedoes,
railroads, cars, steamboats,. and floating
forts and batteries are its hand maids
There is neithef. stint Of men nor mate
rial.
Our front now extends about twenty
rniles-from Fosters on the James on
Deep Bottom. up the James to "eutler's
'front.'" thence along it across the land
to the AppomattoK, thence up that riv-
er to our lines extending southerly and
westerly of Petersburg away round to
our last conquest on the Weldon Rail
road. e-a
Things now look like permanent win
ter operations from "Butler's- Base 1t
is between the rivers named, and protect
ed by mentors and gunboats, except the
front which is about miles, long and 8
heavy earthwork with six batteries built
in it, constitute its strength. Butler
built this after mis- defeat at Drury Bluff.
the 10Th of May, when the rebels follow
ed him back and threw up heavy work
from river to river, very much like THAT
by Butler. -.- m --5=--+ q
The idea of winter operations is appar-
ent BY the fact that our army is about put
ting up a new line of works in this base
and in the rear of that indicated. The
railroad communication from Norfolk to
Petersburg via City Point will enable us
to avoid ice, and the ocean will be open
for vessels to Norfolk. so we can winter
here. Our Army has not very strong
position at Dutch Gap, they have taken a
/ bold stand there and in the face OF the
rebel rams and gunboats; they have forti-
fed the camp across the gap by two
heavy though short pieces of works, and
they are new putting in seEy heavy guns
and forts at the head of the capat- ]
Judge that the design is to lockade.the
river at the head Of this canal. by these
works, and dam up the old channel at
the head; dumping boats" have arrived,
Thus we can leave Richmond and the
rebel rams to winter. do not think the
James long and deep enough to sink our
monitors in it. The rebel rams can
scarcely get up and down, TO say Meth
ing about manGuveringin battle. If the
blocsde spoken of is efficient as IL doubt
less will be, then our monitors can 60 to
other wsters, as Savanna, Charleston snd
Wilmington. By this canal the heavy
battery at Howlet's House is rendered
neutral, and the ground is too low all
above the Gap to allow of the enemy''
planting any such stroes work SHORT OF
:
Darling.
( The results Of the siege of Richmond
/ thus far ere altogether in our favor
There is need of an army on the north
and west of Richmond to look after
leakages. The'siege is far from efficient
But let US be patient. The enemy has
got hard work before III Its quinine is
not sblst TO give it energy. How long
will their madness last. think from
exhaustion itself they mnst soon yield
the day ssEzoEE gafBfazE
/ The late victories have lifted up our
! hearts. We feel new confdence in our
selves and our cause Wegive the Presi
dent and Secretary of War, and the Gen.
erals and the soldiers all, by land and sea,
the praise due to great and good men,
/ | think Grant has some plan in view
that will result in great success here also,
and that before the leaves of the trees
begin 70 fall. He is ordering men to
their regiments everywhere. and is con
stantiy up and down the front Let him
have success. He deserves it, and ii
the reelection of Mr. Lincoln is not al
ready put, by our victories, beyond per
adventure, the additional glory of anoth-
er. will do the work. May it be SOL ]
feel very much the importance OF having
the peace on the basis of justice and
eouality. to men of an ranks and com
plexion. 6odsh has now seemingly troub
led the waters,-and let US DIP the ma
ton anew in baptism in token of sins re
pented of and washed away, and We
hope, forgiven. With new life and bet
ter ways let US try and commence, Sc
that our labor, toll, blood and woe may
be turned into JOY and blessings, snd be
transmitted-to many generations. 7Ea
] write on my knee and hope yol
/ will pardon thus lengthy writing. Iwil
try and write again in accordance with I
flatteriDg request to do SO. at myopportu
nifty s.4,,- s..ai.f5 4-.o
Ny compliments and kind wishes.
--f @o5m Very respectfully. lls1
-~--=e--s-ea-- a--N--J. K. BURNHAM
OF Signal Corps q. -SssA. Headquarter
18th Army Corps. Via Ft. Monroe, Va
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