Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 5, 1864.
Dear Hannah, — .. . Sergeant Ford is a very good soldier. He had a piece of a bayonet shot into his leg in the battle of the 24th on the North Anna. . . .
July 6.
We moved out to the front line last night, and now occupy a position where we can see all the enemy’s works.
It is rather dangerous work to show one’s head here, for the enemy are very sharp, their sharpshooters popping at us all the time. I had a man killed this morning by one of them, and any number of bullets are floating around loosely all the time. We hear that Ewell is up near Harper’s Ferry, and that some of the Sixth Corps have gone up from here to help oppose him. . . .
I am busy now every day, or rather every morning, on court-martial. I believe I told you that I was President of a C. M. We hold our meetings at division headquarters. By the way, Charlie Mills wished to be remembered to both you and Alice.
My house, or place where I hang out at present, is a hole about ten feet long and six wide, dug into the side of the hill. On top there is a layer of logs, and on the sides logs. All the officers have to live in such places, if they care about living five minutes. The men are all in holes or pits dug down into the ground, where they are safe unless a bomb-shell happens to come along. A man in the 3d Maryland had a piece of shell from a 10-inch bomb knock his canteen to pieces, out of which he was drinking at the time. Pleasant place to live in, is n’t it?
I have nominated Zab Adams for major, and shall send the letter on to-night. I do not suppose that he will be able to join me for some time. I wish I could get some definite news from him.
I suppose you know that Duncan Lamb is commissioned as a captain in the regiment. He has not yet reported for duty. . . .
