Bermuda Hundred, Va..
August 13, 1864.
Dear Father:—
I’ve just time to drop you a line in great haste.
We left Florida on the 5th. arrived at Hilton Head on the 7th. Left there on the 8th, arrived at Fortress Monroe, after a lovely passage, on the nth. Anchored off the mouth of the James that night. While there the One hundred and thirtieth Ohio National Guard passed on their way home. E. or somebody else called my name as they faded away in the distance.
Yesterday, the 12th, we landed at Bermuda Hundred and marched to the front on the right of Butler’s line. This morning the rebels opened a heavy fire on us and after a time we were withdrawn. Our sergeant major and some others were wounded—none killed in the Eighth, some in the Seventh. To-day our baggage came up and we sent ten wagon loads up to be stored at Norfolk or “else whair.” I sent my valise to New York by express.
We are under orders now to be ready to march at a moment’s notice and are ready. My foot is sore yet, but I march if there is any fighting to be done. I’ve cut my finger, which rather injures my penmanship, in my haste, but I guess you can read it. Grant has “several” reinforcements, and orders look like work. Good news from Mobile. The rebels got the worst of the shelling this morning.
