In the field, near Cold Harbor, June 6, 1864.
Dear Hannah, — . . . I am thankful to say that so far I have escaped both shell, bullet and sickness, although the campaign has been by far the most severe that I have ever undergone. Our food has consisted of hardtack and beef, when we could get it, with occasional variations of salt pork. Yesterday, though, my boy foraged some green peas, and I had a regular feast, I can tell you. Our shelter has generally been the “broad canopy of heaven” through all weathers, although I have been able occasionally to indulge in a tent fly. How you would laugh at home to see how dirty, brown and ragged we are. I had to go without a change of clothing for over twenty days, and during that time was unable to take my clothes off, even.
I have had three as narrow escapes as I ever wish to have. The last one was three or four days ago, when a 12-pounder shell that had not exploded, passed close by me, grazing my coat cape.
Everything looks as if we had settled down to a regular siege of Richmond. We shall probably have any amount of digging to do and, I hope, some rest. We can’t get hold of our wagons though, which makes it very inconvenient.
I suppose you know that I am commissioned as colonel, Raish as lieutenant colonel and Captain Putnam as major. I am afraid that I cannot get mustered as colonel, as I have not enough men. . . .
