Headquarters 56th Mass. Vol., June 9, 1864.
Dear Father, — We have enjoyed a rest of a couple of days, which is doing our men a vast amount of good. We are all of us completely worn out, both in body and mind. We have now been over 37 days marching and fighting.
From what I can see, I do not think that we shall be in Richmond in much under two months. The papers give too rose-colored a view of matters, and I am afraid that they have raised public expectation too high. We are blocked here for the present, having butted against Lee’s fortifications in vain. I do not feel discouraged about it, as I feel quite confident of ultimate, but not of immediate success. I expect daily to see the whole army start for the James River. When once there, inside our fortifications, we can afford to dig and wait. Here, in our present position, I am afraid that delay is dangerous, for Lee will use some such plan as he did against McClellan. We number probably more men than he does, but they are not the Army of the Potomac, which is pretty well used up. They consist of heavy artillery, dismounted cavalry, etc., of whose fighting qualities I have my doubt. If we only reach James River safely, we can wait for Hunter’s forces, or for Crook’s, or even a portion of Sherman’s, should he demolish Johnston.
Our baggage and commissary stores have all been sent to White House. Possibly this corps may be sent round by water to James River. I hope it will, as it would be a most delightful rest for us all.
Will you please send me $2 worth of postage stamps, and also enclose twenty-five dollars to me, sending it in different letters by ten and fives at a time. I am entirely out of funds, as we have not been paid for almost seven months.
I am gradually rooting out my bad officers, and filling up their places with tried men. The last few weeks have proved a man’s courage and worth pretty effectually. I shall promote some of the sergeants who behaved very bravely.
General Crittenden has been relieved at his own request. He was the ranking major general of the army, with the exception of Burnside and Grant, and felt, quite naturally, unpleasantly at having only a small division under him. I find that he is quite a friend of Uncle Oliver’s. He is a fine man, and I am very sorry that he has gone. He went off quite unexpectedly, and I did not know it until he had gone. He told Charlie Mills that he wished to see me very much before he went. I think that he received a letter from Uncle Oliver about me just before he left. I know that he thought quite highly of me.
I have just received a pair of colonel’s shoulder-straps from Palmer and Batchelder’s. I am very much obliged to the person who sent them to me.
