July 4th. It was the stillest fourth I ever passed; the boys had no chance to celebrate. Bands played in the evng. There was a little Artillery firing on the right; we expected an attack.
Leverett Bradley: A Soldier-Boy’s Letters (1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.)
In Camp Near Petersburg, Va., July 3, 1864.
Dear Family:
We rec’d a letter on the 1st. inst. which found us all well. Jerry has been ordered back to Head Quarters, to blow the calls for the regt. Since I wrote last we have moved forward about a mile and built very strong rifle-pits. The whole army (as much as we know about it) is at a stand still. It would be impossible this hot weather to move; rumors say, we are waiting for re-enforcements, which we need badly enough.
I must say I found things a great deal different from what I expected; any one is lucky, who gets out of a fight. And even those who get a flesh wound are lucky. Some, in the army even, shoot off a finger to get rid of going into action; the latter are not thought much of. Flesh wounds are worth from ten to twenty dollars. But during this hot weather slight flesh wounds have proved fatal. This is considered by old soldiers the hardest campaign of the war so far; until the last few days, some part of the line has been engaged. The genl. health of the troops is good; but I would not believe before I came out here that man was capable of enduring so much. Today, half the army would be sick in bed if they were at home, but here they go well with the well ones. Nothing is so tiresome work as fighting. During the action of the 16th., which I wrote you about, our line of battle got separated; and some of us went to the left and the regt. to the right. We were ordered over to the regt., but we formed a line about half way. There were no rebs in our immediate front at the time, but the right was hotly engaged; we layed down and I got a short nap before we were relieved. The Artillery in the rear throwing shell over our heads all the time. I used to hear them speak of the first Bull Run, but hardly credited the story till I experienced it myself. We were relieved the other day quite suddenly, by Genl. Ewells and Hill’s corps; not a very welcome relief. It is almost impossible to get water, consequently, the boys are very dirty and as a natural consequence we have plenty of those little, called in natural history “lice.” Some of the boys have come better flank movements on them than Grant did on the rebs at North Anna, by turning all their clothing wrong side out; it takes about two days for them to crawl onto the other side, then change them again; they soon get disgusted and leave.
I have been hard at work for the last few days with back papers, muster, and muster-out rolls. The July boys are anxious to get off. The general opinion is that the Co.s will be consolidated. Officers are in an awful fix about who is going home; they all want to go. I hardly think you enjoyed my furlough much more than I did; at least, I should not complain if they would give me another. George Frye [a cousin] has been heard from; he is in prison without doubt. Tell the folks not to worry about him; as there were a lot of them taken, will probably be sent to Georgia.
Give my regards to all enquiring friends. Much love to all.
Respectfully &c. L. Bradley, Jr.
Co. B 1st Mass. H. A. 2nd Brigade,
Army of the Potomac.
June 23rd. Our brigade was moved to the left to support a battery. Shortly after an artillery duel began. The shell all went over the battery and came amongst us. We lost one man wounded. Just at dusk a charge was ordered to be made by our division across an open field. We drove the Rebs back and threw up rifle-pits. Remained in rifle-pits all day; burried our dead; were relieved at night and went to the rear.
June 22nd. Moved forward about ½ a mile and erected rifle-pits. A Reb. battery annoyed us considerably. About noon, firing was heard directly in front. Soon after Barlow’s Div. came rushing over our rifle-pits, the Rebs followed. Engaged them a short time and fell back. Loss: Co. B 8 wounded.
June 21st. Started on the road about 9 A.M. to cut the Weldon and Richmond Railroad. Arrived about noon; moved towards the Rebs and fortified. Remained all night.
June 20th. Layed in the same position all day. The sharp-shooters were firing. It was a sight to see the dead on the field, where the 1st. Maine charged. Moved to the rear and left about 12 o’clock.
June 19th. We were relieved from this position and placed in a worse place! We threw up rifle pits to support a battery. Worked all night; moved forward and commenced to throw more works.
June 18th. [Second assault on Petersburg.] Started on a charge about 5 A.M. Got one line of their breast-works. Moved forward to about 500 yds. of their next and threw up rifle-pits. In the afternoon a charge was ordered; but “no go.”
June 17th. Moved forward half a mile on the right of the road, layed all night, the Artillery threw shells over us, at night, which was not very pleasant. Did not have a good night’s rest.
June 16th. [First Assault on Petersburg.] About six A.m. the enemies Artillery opened on us, our batteries were soon in position, and silenced their fire. Built breast works and at six P.M. the whole line moved forward on a charge, we were soon hotly engaged, we gained about half a mile of ground. Co. B had 8 wounded. I was struck by two spent balls.
