Spottsylvania C. H., May 10, 1864.
Dear Hannah, — I am safe and sound so far, I am thankful to say. We have had the hardest battle of the war, with fearful loss on our side. We were in the second day’s fight in the battle of the Wilderness and had a mighty tough time of it. It was by far the hottest fire I have ever been under. Colonel Griswold was killed while behaving most nobly. We were in line of battle along the side of the road, when the Second Corps came rushing over our two right companies, throwing them into some confusion. Colonel Griswold ran up there with the color-bearer to rally the men, and while doing so was shot dead through the jugular vein. I then took command of the regiment, which had to fall back soon on account of being flanked. We had the rebs on three sides of us, and I held on as long as I possibly could, and then gave the order to fall back. General Webb was a few yards behind me, and I did not retreat until he ordered me to. The men and officers behaved splendidly, and I am real proud of them. We are following the enemy up close, and driving him. We are going to whip them thoroughly, I think.
Henry Abbott is killed and Colonel Macy wounded, not serious. General Stevenson was killed by a stray shot from the enemy this morning while in a comparatively secure place.
Since the third day’s fight I have been in command of my brigade, and Major Jarves of the regiment. Imagine me in command of a brigade. Colonel Bartlett is wounded, not serious. Colonel Gould and Colonel Carruth were both sun-struck.
