The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1864-06-15
cAxr cru Rhdr. 0. WI, |
Tx THE Fisbp, May 3lst 1854. I

selves who arc o lew among tue many boys
who are just now seeing what we have
concluded to term hard times aud active
service but We trust tiiat Uncle Sam is
not asking so much duty aud fatigue OF us
for ANY little purpose.
After the battle Of Chester Station which
was fought on the 10th, aud Of which !
wrote in my last letter. we tho eth, were
stationed as out post pickcts for four sue
csssive days, aud then returned within the
breastworks. On the evening Of the l6th,
after having very heavy nghting near
Drurys Bluff, our mon that is the 18th
corps and the 10th corps, excepting one
Division foil back, and on the morning Of
the 18th were all within our present strong
fortihoations. We did at that time and do
still sistain strong picket line in front OF
our works, which requires one brigade ev-
cry "a hours. Tue enemies line and ours
arc but few yards apart, and talking is
distinctly heard from each other. But each
Is secure from tho other by complete
line Of rife pits in which the men can hide
themselves from view, Ou tile evening Of
the lsth we were sent out as pickets, but
when we wero near the line the enemy
opened o hot FIRE which lasted about one
half hour during which time we gained the
fow ride pits that wore then dug and the
men relieved returned to camp, During
the most Of the night our men were engag
ed in digging new pits in order that each
man might bo secure as soon as daylight
should appear. Sbovels were scarce but
those Of our men who could not obtain ono
went readily to work with their hands
and in this way many Of our men made
themselves perfectly secure with the use
Of nothing but their hands and bayonots,
by tho 6rst appearance of morning.
On the evening of tho 10th we returned
30 camp and lay behind the breastworks on
o,tr gum blankets during the night. About
Up. NJ. of the goth, the enemy made dash
on our picket line and took from them the
riffi, pits aud about o'clock Uol. Howell,
commanding our brigade, was sent ont
with his command to retase them, and in a
few moments we were on the move. When
within about GOO yards Of the line we found
that the 9th Maine o. V. l. were the chaps
who had played The coward and with but
very little resistance bad given up their
line to a few bold grays, aud fallen back
and hid themselves behind trees or skulked
into camp. When we had formed into line
which was done as soon as possible, and
commenced firing on the enomy who were
very boldly holding their new position,
somo of those poor frightened sons OF
Maine, over whom we were as matter Of
course shooting ut the enemy--loblsed up
and in much fear cried out don't shoot
here, you are Shooting yoar otca men.
We soon found that we were opposed tc
astrong force and must fight we'll or bo
driven back, and as the command forcard
was given and sent along the line, every
man made a dash for the pits, loading and
firing as he moved forward, and amid cheer
aud hwrahs leaped into the pits, while the
enemy were driven from before us. Al
dark we again returned to camp
We had another heavy loss in this en-
gagement, but us It has been somo tune
since and as you all have seen tho list o.
killed and wounded Of that day in many
places before this, shall not give Il. Since
coming here, many of our brave boys have
fallen, aud many others have been wounded
and left, thus making our number at preson
rather small.
Things have been rather quiet for the las
two or three dWys.. We're heavy firing wa
heard all day yesterday on the other sid
of the james aud appeared to be near Nal
vcrn Hills. Last evening about 5 o'cloc
while our regiment aud two or three otl,
ers were relieving the pickets, tho enem
opened a brisk artillery fire on our work,
but was very promptly replied to by ouri
the lst Connecticut doing splendid WORK
There is but one Company of said Artiller
bore, but at the same time we are we
supplied with others un laubtedly as gooC
Tho firing lasted about an hour. Casual
tics were ono man Of the LIST Conn, kille,
Some time in tho evening mnsket wa
accidentally discharged in camp woundin
Daniel Wilcox of our company severely /
lett hand. We have just received motto
Of tho death Of PIP, Pope one of our nobl
boys of Company II, who being severed
wounded in right thigh aud having his 10
amputated, died at Hampton Hospital 0
the 22d inst, thus three Of my nearel
ueighbors, two of them brothers, have Gal
en-. May the Lord sustain the bereaved
home. Hoping to write to your exeeller
paper often, should my letters be aecep
able'd Lremain, as ever,
JEFF.