Camp near Bell Plains Va.
Wednesday Dec. 10 1862

Dear Folks at Home

Mary's letter of Nov. 28th came to me the other day and you say that you have not heard from me since my letter that you recd. Oct. 20. I think by this time you have read. Other letters from me for I have answered every letter that you have written to me or every one that I've recd. And I guess I have recd. Them all, though sometimes it takes sometime for a letter to reach us. The last letter I wrote you was dated at or near Stafford Court House Since then we have marched and encamped near Bell Plains. We came here last Friday, encamped in a thick woods (small pines and underbrush) so thick that you could not see through but it is now all cleared off and there is hardly a tree left for wood. We use considerable wood here for the weather is cold, especially nights. Let a brigade encamp in a piece of woods and in a week after, there'll be nothing but stumps left to tell that there had been wood there. I suppose we are near the Rappahannock River and we expect to cross it soon. We had 40 rounds of cartridges and last night were ordered to furnish ourselves with 3 days cooked rations and the men supplied with cartridges enough to make 60 rounds and be in readiness to move any moment. But we are here today and expect orders to move any moment, when they do come we shall probably cross the river and then the sun will commence or the rebs will skedaddle.
Mother you must not worry about me or about my being sick. I was a little unwell a few days age, my bowels were a little out off fix, caused I suppose by sleeping on the ground, or not paying proper attention to diet. But I'm all right now and if you could see me dip into the hard bread etc. you'd think I was far from being sick. Lieut. C. and myself eat 3 times today and have plenty to. We by our provisions at the Brigade Commissary's such as hard bread (or hard tack as the boys call them) sugar, coffee, tea pork, fresh beef, salt beef, molasses, sometimes potatoes, sometimes dried apples and peaches. They don't always have all these things at the same time but enough so we can live comfortably.
Our house in this camp (Lieut. C. and myself) is composed of 4 little logs high on 3 sides and makes a place about 6 1/2 ft. square, covered by our little A tent. We have built up a bank inside, about 6 or 8 inches from the ground, covered it with cedar boughs or brush. We then spread one rubber and one woolen blanket to lie on and cover ourselves with 2 woolen blankets and our overcoats, so you see we can sleep comfortably. We have another rubber blanket with which we shut up the front of the tent. We do our cooking on a wood fire in front of the tent and Mary you must look out or I shall beat you cooking when I get home. I can do considerable in the cooking line now, I believe.
I think I told you in my last letter that I had recd, my sword. I'm wearing it now.
In my last letter I wanted Father to send me a pair of Buckskin gloves by mail, some pepper, postage stamps, I would like a knit smoking cap for a night cap, if it would not be too much trouble and just get a good piece of rhubarb root and do up in the gloves or cap and send by mail. It won't cost any more that it would here. Anything that you send in a box mark plainly Lieut. H.S. Wells Co. A 122nd N.Y.S.V.

The great trouble is to get boxes from Washington to our regiment. We have not yet recd. The box of mittens from B'Ville but I suppose it is in Washington, don't send any thing to me in a Co. box that is apt to perish for it may be sometime before we get it.
But I must hurry and bid you good bye for this time for I must go out and see how things are getting along. Give my regards to everybody.

Herbert

Camp Near Fredericksburg
Dec. 25th 1862

Dear Folks at Home

Your very welcome letter of Dec. 15th or 16th was duly recd. And you may rest assured I was very glad to hear from you at that time. I wrote to you soon after the fight with a lead pencil and of course by this time you are assured of my safety. I went into the fight with Co G as First Lieut. Having been promoted just about an hour before we crossed the Rapahannock on Friday morning Dec. 12th. We were under fire soon after we got over but no one in our regt. was hurt that day.
Sat. the 13th we were ordered to the front to support a battery. Late in the afternoon the rebs commenced shelling us while the batteries in front and on the left of our regt. answered back. We were lying down at that time and the shell flew over and burst around us quite lively. We had everything that would encumber us thrown off for we expected a charge from the rebs on our battery or that we would advance on them, but after dark the firing (heavy firing) ceased and late at night we were relieved or withdrew, having only 2 or 3 men in the regt. wounded.
We were very lucky, had we fell back or even stood up at the time of the shelling we would have lost a good many men.
Sunday Dec. 14th (I have been told since) our Division was to drive the rebs from the hills and works in front. The order was given and partly written but countermanded for some reason or other, Monday We supported another Battery but did not draw much fire and in the night our army was withdrawn from the south side of the river. The rebs were very strongly fortified and were in a very advantageous position. It would cost many thousands of lives to storm the hills and I understand that there were 50 or 60 guns bearing on our immediate position which they had not yet opened on us.
Our troops on the right (near F) suffered terribly, charging Batteries. Of course you know we were in the left Grand Division of the army and were about 2 or 2 ½ miles below F-. I visited Cap. Petitts Battery at Falmouth day before yesterday, they are yet in position the north side of the river and above F.- They are on a hill just back of Falmouth and threw shell across at the time of the fight.

I could see the rebel earthworks on the other side, redoubt after redoubt on every hill and there were 3 ranges of hills, each rising above the other as they went back. It is no boys play to of over those hills extending for miles from right to left and would cost probably 40 or 50 thousand lives, I believe Petitts Battery did not cross the river, but did good service from where they were. I was treated well by Capt. Petitt and his Lieutenant Shelden Rodgers and Slauson, Scoville, Skinner and Sammy Warren are well.
Our Regt. lays about 2 ½ miles back from the river. It is impossible to tell what move will be made next. I am very glad you sent me those postage stamps, they will come handy, very. I notice the Syracuse papers make awkward mistakes in relation to promotions in this regt. They don't seem to know anything about it. As far as Co. A is concerned it has all its old officers with the exception of me, though there has been considerable change in other companies, but not as the papers stated, they are not correct in all cases.
We have not used that box yet but expect to if we lay her some time longer. I'm glad you sent me a list of those things (in the box) belonging to me. Can you get me a smoking or a skating cap, a knit one, for a night cap.
Now Mother don't worry about me, in fight or anywhere else, when you write you must let me know all the news.
Oh! I like to have forgotten, it's Christmas and I hope you are all having a merry one. I have just had a good dinner. Capt. Smith found a couple of ducks and they made our mess quite a meal. My love to you all. I have saved all of my letters and think I shall send them home. If I do you must not read them all, you know, unless I get shot. My regards to everybody. Father remember me to Frazee and his wife. Good bye, until I hear from you again.
Herbert

Dear Folks at Home
I should have written to you before this but last week we went down to the river to do picket duty and I did not have time while there to write you. The rebel pickets are quite talkative and often talk across the river to our boys. They even rig up small sailboats of boards or planks and send across with tobacco and sometimes our pickets send back coffee etc. There is no firing between the pickets, though they might shoot each other easily. Communication is not allowed but they will talk when the officers are not near. When I was at the river a rebel officer came down to the opposite bank and commenced talking to me, there were about forty or fifty rebs.

Around him but only one man that was on post - was armed, there reserve being back some ways from the river. He (the reb officer) called himself Col. Jack Brown and though I would not answer him, he kept on talking to me and the men of my post. He says Lieut. I'll send you a plug of tobacco and so he did. They rigged a boat of an oak plank with a rag for a sail and it came over. I held up the tobacco, after I'd got it so he could see it. Told him I could not converse with him as it was against orders. He bid me a good night and went away. I think he was from Georgia. The river here is not very wide, not as wide as the Seneca is at the bridge.
I am happy to say I've got that box or the things that were in the box and everything was in good condition but the apples, they were rotting a little but everything else was all right. That jelly was nice. I took the ham out on picket with me and in three days I and my servant had devoured it- pretty much -it was excellent.
Maj. Davis got back last night and gave me the speeches you cut out and the package of dried cherries and tomatoes and the letter you sent. I don't think I shall get a furlough right away. I am at present in B Co. with Capt. M.H. Church. B Co. is the left flank Co. the change was occasioned by the death of Lieut. Webb and the resignation of Lt. Nye and Capt. Chamberlain of that Co. I did not like it-at first but it is all right now. I wanted something to say about it myself, but I like Church very well. There is a certain class in this regt. That are rather inclined to run the machine themselves. They are mostly Syracuse officers. If I were in Maj. Davis place I should have resigned before this, but he may possibly weather it. You must excuse me for not writing more this time. Give my love to all. Write soon.

Herbert

Dear Father and Mother
I thought that I had written you soon after the battle of Fredericksburg but I see by Mary's last letter, which I recd. tonight that you had not heard from me since the battle. It may be that you have not got my letter and it is possible that I did not write soon after our battle with the rebs on the south side of the Rappahannock.
I have had so much to do that I have hardly time to write at all. I wrote just before we crossed this river, and also wrote you the other day, yesterday or Saturday I forget which.
I said something about the fight in my last. You have read all about it before now, however, we know what our Corps done. I will tell you again however as well as I can, April 28th we broke camp and started for the river. We halted when near the river and waited for darkness. We were detailed to carry the Pontoons down to the river for waggons and horses would make to much noise.

Each Company took a boat. We got them all down there just before daylight and Pratts Light Division jumped in the boats and went across to take the bank and hold it-so that they could build the bridge in the morning for the rest of the troops of our Corps, to pass over. Everything was still when they started and as our regiment with others had been at work hard all night we lay on this side listening for the first sound of battle. Suddenly crack went a volley and whizz flew the minies. The rebs had heard the boats and fired but the gallant fellows soon landed and so reb had to fall back. So we got the bank and held it. This was about a mile and a half below the City of F- and just where we crossed at the time of the first fight. Our brigade did not cross over until Saturday night May 2. Our fellows still held the bank at this point but had not as yet farther advanced. We went over just at dark and rested till towards midnight and then started for the city of F-. We took the river road. The 1st U.S. or rather the 65 N.Y. led off and our regiment came next. Thus we felt our way along a strange road and near the enemy expecting every moment we should catch a fire from an unseen foe. We had flankers thrown out on each side of the column from each company. When we reached the edge of F- the head of the column was fired on and quite a number wounded. We pushed on however, went into the city and came out at the foot of the heights on which were the rebel batteries and rifle pits and that stonewall you heard or read so much about in the first fight. We moved part way up the hill and joined line of battle, Col. Shaler, who commands our brigade gave orders to get ready to charge that battery, meaning the one on the hill right in front of us and so near were we to the rebs that their commands could be heard by us. Everything was thrown off for the charge. Our regiment was in the front line and all expected time, but it was dark and as we were going in on our uncertainty our General concluded to wait for daylight. So we fell back just to the edge of the city.
Morning came, we had not slept any and in the forenoon of Sunday May 3rd the charge was made after the usual amount of cannonading had been done. Our regiment was not in the front line of the charging party but followed up as soon as the charge was made to support them and hold the hills. Just before we started forward and while we yet were in the edge of the city my Captain (who was standing right beside me, and we were talking about the some time) was struck by a minie ball and badly wounded. We were watching the effect of the charge. As soon as he was wounded I took him away from the place where he had been hurt but the grape and canister seemed to come thicker where we went so we want back for I thought that would be as safe a place for him as anywhere. The next moment we were ordered forward and I had to take command of the company. The rebs were falling back. After getting up the heights part of our regiment (my company included) were deployed as skirmishers, we soon came upon the rebel skirmishers and the fuss commenced. All the firing our regiment done was while skirmishing. It was a continual crack of rifles and whistling of balls from both sides. I had one man slightly wounded while skirmishing. At the time of the charge Sunday forenoon it was estimated that our Corps lost about 900 men in about 11 minutes, killed, wounded and missing. Well after our skirmish we took a road from F- and started towards where Hooker was but after getting about 2 ½ miles from F- and we came upon the rebels in force and Sunday about 4P.M. a terrible infantry fight ensued and for about 2 hours it seemed as if everything was let loose.

We were ordered to relieve a regiment in the front and done so, but the firing had ceased mostly for that night and we were again lucky. The dead and wounded of both sides lay thick around and a good many of the wounded rebs that could walk came into our lines. They seemed to think they could get better care at our hands than they could get in their own lines. Well after dark I deployed my company as skirmishers in front of the regiment and near a piece of woods where the rebs were supposed to be but we were not fired upon that night and at 4 in the morning we were relieved by another regiment of our Brigade.
Monday we found that Hooker was falling back and had to act in the defensive, consequently the rebs sent a heavy force to oppose us. They got around between us and F.-
Your may rest assured that we were tired after doing the work we done and having so little sleep. After resting two or three days we march back to our old camping ground and selected a new place for a camp. So here we are.
I think if the 11th Corps had done well Hooker would have continued to advance and our Corps could then have joined him. You see Hooker was fighting at or near Chancellorsville some 8 or 10 miles from us but he had to fall back and consequently our Corps could not join him. But I must stop for it is getting late. Mary must write soon.
Goodnight
Herbert
P.S. Capt. Church was in Seminary Hospital, Georgetown the last I heard of him.
I am at present commanding the company. I commanded through the fight after Capt. was wounded.

Camp 122 New York Vols.
Near Warrentown Va.
August 5, 1863

Dear Folks at Home

I think I have written you often since the battle of Gettysburg, but very little have I heard from home.
The last letter I wrote I acknowledged the rect. Of that box you sent me. It had been so long on the road that some of the cans burst and spoiled some of the dried fruit. The vinegar had all gone from the pickles and some of the packages were so wet that you could see no name of them. One or two packages of fruit (currants or cherries) I could find no owner for, for there was no name on them as I could see. But there was enough in the box to do a great deal of good. And you must thank Mrs. Hand's people for me. It does one good to think the neighbors think of us fellow down here in Dixie. I have been waiting patiently to hear from the draft in Onondaga Co.

I wish to know who is drafted. I almost wish that there was no 300 dollar clause about it, then all that were drafted would have to come. If all pay their 300 there will be another draft made and by & by some one will get sick of paying. I think that clause will be struck out if we do not get men enough the first draft. Then "Home Guard" look out. Some storekeepers will find talk in fight at the fireside (or in their stores) quite a different thing from real fighting in the field. They won't be over anxious for this or that Gen. To "Onward to Richmond". Now our Army of the Potomac ought to be filled up immediately for the next and perhaps the last Grand Battle will be fought between the two armies of the Potomac. Lee will ask for so many men, perhaps the next day the draft will be made and in a short time he has his men. While we have hardly commenced drafting. They force the thing through. We wait for some reason of other. In the next battle the strength of the South will be combined against our Army of the Potomac, then will be the Grand Battle. Either the downfall of the rebellion or its continuation for a longer period of time. So I say give us the men immediately, cut down traitors wherever they may be found and let us go through with it.
I do not think our Gen. will attack Lee until we get reinforcements Consequently, no general battle will ensue unless Lee has the audacity to attack us. You know it makes a great difference who chooses ground. Well I guess I've said enough about it. I have not heard from you but once since the fight in Pa. I hope nothing has happened at home. Write soon and let me know what is going on. Is Father well.
Father you must not think of coming down here, for you could not stand it, and another thing, I can do fighting enough for both of us. One out of such a family as ours is enough. I am anxious to hear from Mother and all. Love to all.

Herbert

Warrentown is about 1 ½ miles from our camp. It is nearly if not quite as large as B'ville and has been quite a place but the war has about used it up. All the stores are closed because they cannot get goods and I guess the inhabitants do not live much better than we soldiers do-they are mostly Secesh ladies and all.

Goodbye
Herbert

Camp at Warrentown Va.
Friday Sept. 11th 1863

Dear Folds at Home

Your last letter was duly recd. And I am glad to learn that the money I sent reached you. It is not very safe to send money by mail but I thought I'd risk it this time. I am well as usual and have been very busy lately working on my Muster Rolls for the months, July and August.

I did not have much time to write many letters.
The new from the south and southwest to-night is cheering and I hope we can finish this Rebellion this fall.
We are having Division and Brigade Drills now. Div. drill ground is about 1 ½ mile. We can get around in most any shape now.
I wish you could see my shanty. It is nearly 12 feet long and 6 feet wide on the inside-it is built of 3 and 4 inch joice to about 4 feet high and my pieces of shelter tent make a roof of about 1/3 pitch making it about 7 ½ feet high at the peak, so you see I have plenty of room.
I have boarded up the front end with pieces of cracker boxes leaving a doorway, but I haven't made a door yet. Across the back end and about 2 feet from the ground I have built a bunk about 3 feet wide of boards and barrel staves with a 3 inch hickory pole for the front edge and have it well filled with hay. I take and spread my rubber blanket on the hay-use my woolen blankets for a covering-my coat for a pillow-so you see I have a splendid couch. I have as good a house as any officer in the line. The lumber that we build with generally comes from old torn down houses. An old uninhabited house don't last long around these parts. I must close this letter for it is pretty late. You must write all the news that interest me.
My love to you all. Good night.

Herbert

Dear Folks at Home

Your last letter of Oct 27th has been recd. I wrote you about sending a box. If you can put my pants in so they will not get soiled, I guess it would be the best way. Don't wait for anyone else to send a box for I can pay the chgs. of one box myself. I wonder when the Major is coming back. He won't know the regiment if he doesn't hurry back. Can he talk well yet? It is nearly noon and I'm going to have potatoes -beef steak-bread & coffee for dinner. Quite a luxury when a fellow has lived on hard tack & coffee alone for some time. My health is good so far. We may have a battle before long and may not this fall. Twill depend on circumstances. We expected to fight when our army was falling back from the Rapidan but though there was some fighting it was not general and our corps did not get engaged to any great extent. You spoke, of hearing of my being before a board of examinations. I was with a number of other officers examined. Some of them were discharged.

I was not. You cannot expect that men that came from the workshop and plough and have done the hard work that we have done since we have been in service can be perfectly drilled in tactics and business pertaining to the organization. But we can fight and have fought and no one can say but what we have done as well as any other regiment could do in the places we've been in. An officer may not be a favorite always with his commanding officer and his friends and if he wants to put some on else in his place, it is a very easy matter to work him out in some way or other.
I have no reason to think but what Col Dwight is a friend to me and have nothing to fear on that score. But still an officer might get discharged on a hundred little things and be not particularly to blame. Now should I at anytime be discharged - you must not borrow any trouble about it. No officer knows how long he will stay in the service. Should I get discharged I can work at my trade again or I can come out again.
I took command of a company on the morning of the 3rd of May at the taking of Maryes Heights at Fredericksburg while we were under a heavy fire - the Captain being wounded - and went in to the fight with them - and I have commanded the same Co. ever since - on every march and in every fight that we have been in since. That is the Picket fight at Fredericksburg, the battle of Gettysburg. But I won't worry you longer. We are all in good spirits and willing o meet the enemy most anytime. Remember me to all. Put some towels in the box.
Have Anderson the harness maker, make me 26 straps, 19 inches long 5/8 wide with buckles & loop and send them in box -(light strap).
My love to you all. Write soon.

Herbert

Camp Sedgwick Va.
Dec. 8th 1863

Dear Folks at Home

Mary's last was recd. The other evening when I was out on picket and you may be sure that I was glad to get them for we had just finished a 7 days campaign, and had heard nothing from home during that time. I need not tell you of the late hard marches and of our being once more in front of Lee's army, and of our falling back to this side of the Rapidan again. I will say that after marching through rain and cold we came upon the rebel army in a very strong position. Too strong for us to assail. That is I guess Gen. Meade thought so, and then the weather being so bad our army fell back to this our present position near Brandy Station. This is about the only time our regiment has been under fire and had no one hurt. We should be thankful for that.
I might go on and tell you more particulars about the campaign but it might not be interesting to you for it is the same old story of hard knocks-bloody scenes etc.
We do not expect to make another forward movement this fall or rather this winter for we would not have good weather enough for any extensive move.

Maj. Davis is here with us, he brought me that can of butter, some chestnuts, pepper and those straps. I have also recd. those pants and towel and three pairs of good stockings. I thank you very much. They will all come in very handy. I am expecting that box every day. Have you sent it yet! Mary must thank Julia for those walnuts for me. We may remain here all winter near this station & may not.
Well I must close for it is nearly roll call and I must be on hand. Father you must let me know all the news of business etc. I will write again soon and after I get the box tell you if I want anything more. Those stocking are real nice for this could weather. Who knit them. Capt. Clapp is in my tent reading (it is evening) he sends his regards to all. Mary asked why I did not mess or live with Clapp. I'd rather mess alone as we are in different companies and each of us have command of companies. We are on good terms however and C- would like to mess with me, but I'd rather have a house & table of my own and have my friends come and see me when I wish without disconcerting anyone else. Capt. C- says give my compliments to you Father & Mother and Love to Mary. Remember me to Grandfather & Mother. Love to all
Herbert

Dear Folks at Home

We arrived at our old camp day before yesterday and have begun camp life a new. Instead of boarding at a Hotel I now have a little Shelter tent and board myself. Everything indicates hard fighting through the entire summer, and you may soon have plenty of new to read. There are various surmises as to Gen. Grants plans but I guess we won't find out what they are until he moves. Well we bid good bye to Old Sandusky on the 13th and we left a great many good friends there to. If I live through this war I shall certainly visit that place again.
I believe I forgot to tell you, in my last letter from Sandusky that Tracy when on his way west, came to S- and stayed the day with me, I was gladly surprised to see him. He took dinner with me and told me all the news from home.
Efforts to get a leave to go west and visit (-???-) and Tracy but I shall have to wait until some other time. I am well and I am expecting an answer to the letter that I wrote from Sandusky last. I want you to write all the news. I wrote to Julia H. yesterday. I Don't know but she is out of patience with me now for not writing her before. You must all excuse me for writing so short a letter but O must close for the present. I ought to write to the Major and will as soon as possible, remember me to him.
My love to you all. Write soon.
Herbert

P.S. We have not seen U.S. Grant yet but expect to soon.

Dear Folks at Home

I wrote you the other day but have not had a chance to send it. I now write you again from the Battlefield. This is the tenth day of the fight and it has been the greatest fighting that I ever witnessed or took part in. This morning our Brigade moved into a rifle pit which once belonged to the Rebs. Yesterday was a terrible day and it may be that to-day the fighting will be just as hard. There is probably about 300 men of the three regiments of our Brigade left present for duty. Our folks have lost very heavily and the rebels have lost as many if not more than we. It has been raining and it is very muddy. The dead lay thick around this part of the line. We recd. notice that a mail would be sent from Headquarters at 10 O'clock this A.M. I hope we may win this Battle and I think we shall. What do you think of 9 or 10 days fighting. Don't you imagine that we are pretty well tired. The Lieut. Col. is sick and Captain Clapp, being the only Captain left, has charge of what is left of the regiment. This is not Sandusky. No man knows how soon he will get killed or hurt here. Now Father-Mother and all you must not grieve too much if I should fall. Don't worry about me. God has seen fit to spare my life so far and I am thankful to Him for it.
We have had some narrow chances, the first day, we went into the fight a ball passed through my coat under my right arm. It did not break the skin, however, though it was a pretty close call. I believe it is the first item I have had my clothes torn by rebel bullets.
It is raining again and as I have no shelter I must close. Give my love to all. I don't know when I shall have another chance to write, but will write as soon as I can-Love to you all. I must not stop to read this over.

Good bye
Herbert

Dear Folks at Home
I am still alive, for a wonder. We are always in line of battle or on the Skirmish or Picket line and have almost continually been in front and under fire. We have lost in killed, wounded & missing about 153 men & officers.

We lost the most of them on the 6th of May. Our first fight of this season. You know of course that our Corp Gen. Sedgwick is killed and our Brigadier Gen. Shaler is either killed or a prisoner. Such fighting I never saw before. Our Division has been on the right and on the left and center, anywhere where we are most needed. An army cannot last a great while at such a rate but we are getting some reinforcements and though there is a little lull in the desperate fighting just now, we cannot tell when it will open again in all its fury. We have taken a good many prisoners and have probably killed and wounded as many of the rebels as they have of us. The enemy still occupy Spotsylvania Court House. The line of battle is about 6 miles long. McClellands 7 days fighting is no comparison to what this fighting is no comparison to what this fighting has been. I don't know as I can tell how much advantage we have gained. We are about 45 or 50 miles from Richmond. I hope we shall be successful in taking that place, but it will be hard work and will take a great many men. I would like to write you more but they are gathering the mail and I must close. My love to you all and to friends. I trust God will spare my life to see you all again.
Herbert

Dear Folks at Home
We have stayed in one place all night and have had one full nights rest for a wonder- we marched night before last all night and until the next day about noon and yesterday crossed the Pamunkey River. I hardly know what the crossing is called or what place we are near, but if you look at the map (a good one) and find the White House on the river and then trace the river up about 15 miles and you can see where we are. We are about 15 or 18 miles up the river from the White House. I believe there is only our Division and about 10,000 cavalry here at this point. Don't know whether the rest of the Corps and Army will come down here or not, I think we have got on Lee's flank and I guess he will have to fall back from Hanover Court House and the South Anna River, and if he sends much of a force down here to whip us it will weaken his front at the South Anna. Our Cavalry that went on that raid were within 2 ½ or 3 miles of Richmond - could hear the bells ring the alarm in the city. I wish they could have been well supported by infantry and artillery so they could have taken the city and liberated our men that are prisoners. When we reached here we were well tired out, our marching surprised cavalry men that started soon after we did. Part of our business before we crossed this river was to tear up railroad track and the way we made it fly was a caution. We have had no mail lately and so don't know when I can send this but I will direct it and keep it in my pocket until I can send it. We expect we will have as hard fighting as we had in the Wilderness and at or near Spotsylvania C.H. but I hope it will not be of 12 or 15 days duration again. I hope we can get their Army in Richmond and then besiege the place.

We do not pay much attention dates and days here and no doubt make mistakes in writing dates so you must excuse me if I have made mistakes in dating events and days etc.
When one writes he asks what day this is, some one will say I think it is so and so, but he is not certain. So it goes, men are tired out and don't think or care for anything but to get a little rest. How I wish we could get a mail now. I suppose our communications will be by way of the White House now.
Well I must close. Have you got my last letters. I believe I have written last. How are the good people about B'Ville. Give my love to all. Write as often as possible.
Herbert

I will write again a soon as possible. Joe Smith is here and is well. Write all the news.
I won't read this over for you know I used to destroy letters when I found mistakes. So please excuse.

Herbert

Dear Folks at Home

I am still alive and I am thankful that I am so and that I am well as usual. Some say that we are about 8 or 9 miles from Richmond and about 16 miles from White House Landing which is on the Pamunkey River. We have not had much rest since the 6th of May and have been under fire a good part of the time. It has been marching and fighting and then fighting and marching about all of the time. We reached this place about noon the 1st of June and formed in 4 lines of Battle, ready to move on the enemy works. Our Batteries took position and opened and at 5 o'clock P.M. we moved forward and were soon under a murderous fire. The men commenced to fall very fast. We were in an open space while the enemy were covered. Our regiment started in the charge in the 4th line of battle and when we arrived near their works we were in the first and only effective line of battle. Some regiments did not behave as they might and we had to go over there and some broke. Our regiment done well I think. When we advanced to the last little rise of ground in front of the enemy line and found we could go no further with any success, we were ordered to fall back a short distance and lie down. We done so, and held the ground that we had gained. Our Batteries throwing shot and shell over our heads some of the shell from our batteries exploding prematurely and wounding some of our own men. As soon as it was dark, shovels spades and picks were passed along and we dug a rifle pit and it afforded us considerable shelter, early in the morning of the 2nd we started forward again but advanced only about 3 or 4 rods. Twas no go but we held the ground gained.

Men had to lie down again and tools were passed out to the few that was left of the front line and they had to dig a shelter the best way they could, they could hardly get back or raise up but had to dig as they were lying. We are now about 20 rods from the enemy and have rifle pits dug. Our Batteries with a few exceptions are about 100 rods in rear of us.
We have to keep well down. Some men get wounded or killed going back after water, if they catch sight of a head above the works a bullet is sure to whistle uncomfortably close. On the night of the 2nd I was struck on the head by a bullet, it seemed to glance on the top of head. It bled some but it is a slight wound. I am thankful that it was no worse. There is continual sharp shooting all day long. We have been under fire since the first of June in this one place. I don't know when they will relieve us. We are the first line, it is little sleep that we get. I don't know whether we will advance farther at this point or not. I am writing this in our Pit and the sharp shooters bullets are flying over us quite lively. Our division had lost heavily. Do not yet know how many. Our regiment has lost about 75 killed and wounded in the last fight. Sand Carrington was slightly wounded in the head by a piece of shell. Uriah Trapp, James Robinson of H Co. were wounded. I hope to write you again, you must excuse my haste, but there is no knowing where we may be attacked. Man all keep their belts on and guns loaded and capped. Our sharp shooters are very busy. Give my love to all, write all the news, Good-bye for the present.
Love to all
Herbert

Ned Mehan says give his regard to Father.

Dear Folks at Home

Yours of June 5th was rec'd some time ago but as we have been very bust and I have been waiting for an answer to the letter that I wrote you from Cold Harbor I have not written you for sometime. I wrote you about being wounded at Cold Harbor slightly and also gave a sort of descriptive of what we done there. We are apt to make sometimes one does not know whether it is Sunday or Monday and if he asks he may get a correct answer or he may not. I recolect telling you that the big fight at Spotsylvania was on the 13th of May. It was on the 12th and I think I told you in my last letter that I was wounded on the 2nd of June it was on the 3rd. You see when a man is up most of the time nights and is marching or fighting the most to the time and tired out beat through he is not so apt to be correct as if he were rested out. At Cold Harbor we lay 11 or 12 days so near the enemy's works that one could throw a stone into their lines. It cost a good many men to get there bur get there we did and dug rifle pits in the night and staid until the night of June 12th.

Our Corps (or our Division) had been up to Petersburg (or in our works near that place) but we have since moved farther to the left and are on the left of the 2nd Corps. It is very quiet in front of our Division now for a wonder, but up on the right they are popping away the most of the time on the skirmish line.
Petersburg might have been taken once but when our army moved around here of course Lee moved his army in the fortifications at the city and the result is that the enemy hold the place yet not with standing the Syracuse Journal said that Petersburgh was taken. Some works near the city are taken but we have not got the place yet. For the first time in a good while we have our tents up in shape of a camp, but are liable to move any hour. I hope we will rest some now for we have had a pretty rough time or it since we left Brandy Station. Firing along the line takes place more or less night and day. We have Breastworks here. We have lost a great many men during this Campaign and must lose a great many more before we get Richmond. We have to charge them out of their works. I don't think Grant ever saw such fighting before and he finds a larger body of men and a worse place to take than Vicksburg. If we could only fight them in the open field we would soon wipe them out. Sergt. Glass of A Co. was killed near Petersburg and Liet. H.H. Hoyt of E Co. was killed at the same place. I have been very lucky throughout and I am thankful for it. No one can tell how long he has to live here but I must close. I will try and be more interesting next time if possible. I suppose Father is at work for Frazee yet, my love to you all write all the news. It is very warm here. My regards to all.

Herbert

Dear Folks at Home

I am still in the land of the living and I'm anxious to hear from home. I hardly know what to write you - we are lying still at present and have been entrenching our camp or our lines. The men have got up some pretty comfortable quarters. I have got a little hut built of boards 6 ½ x 10 feet a fireplace in one end and a bunk in the other A door by the side of the fireplace built of rough boards and hung by leather straps. Straw for feathers - woolen blankets for sheets and quilts who says I have not got a home! I have no wife - no Cow - no rig - but have got a pack horse - one rooster - and three hens or chickens, The best part of the whole concern is one of the hens had commenced to lay eggs and by and by I shall have a good mess for breakfast without paying 60 or 80 cts. A dozen and half of them rotten at that. Well I've said enough about my household affairs.
There are various rumors of what we are to do or where we are to go this winter. We may make another move or the enemy may attack us, as they are supposed to be heavily reinforced, but I hardly think they will risk it.
I should like very much to go to Sandusky this winter to take care of the city - but I guess that will not happen. It is pretty rainy now and I expect it will be pretty cold when it clears off. Have you had any snow yet?
Give my regards to everybody. Write me all the new as usual. I suppose the Cops. feel sore headed now don't they - on the Skirmish the other day when the rebs were reconoitering our present position some of the men sang out "Hurrah for Old Abe" - The rebels responded by singing out "Hurrah for Little Mac" Just occasional talk thats all, but it shows plainly that they were more in favor of Little Mac - than Abe. They thought he was the man for the Yanks to vote for. Well I'll stop now, I guess I've said enough. Good bye for the present.
My Love to you all

Herbert

Dear Folks at Home

I have not recd. a letter from you in some time. I have been looking for one every mail but I suppose that Mary is busy and does not find the time. We are here, some little distance from Petersburg and are daily strengthing our lines or our works, building forts etc. There is no news of interest here just now. We have some Picket firing on our right and left but none in front of our Division.
We sometimes have snow and then rain which makes the going very bad. The railroad from City Point runs within 1200 yards of our camp, so we do not have to haul our supplies by wagon very far. When we first came here it seemed as if we were to have a big fight and that we were to attack the enemy's works but now it looks as if Grant was going to let us rest a few weeks. I think we deserve a rest after doing the work we have the last summer. You will probably know that to attack works, where you have to tear down two or three rows of sharpened stakes or limbs of trees with the bush trimed off, and the prongs sticking out just high enough so you cannot leap over and the buts buried or pinned to the ground so that it is hard work to tear them out so you can get over and all this while the musketry and Grape & Canister being poured into you is no delightful work. I have been in places before now when the lead and iron would cut through the air so that it seemed as if the air was in a continual sharp rush, something coming at one which if it hits kills or wounds. Imagine our feeling, well so it goes. It is pretty late at night and I must not sit up very late or Mother will scold and then I must get up early in the morning as I am Officer of the Day. For the regt. Write me all the news.

My love to all at Home and all friends.

Good night all
With love
Herbert

Dear Folks at Home

I believe I have not written since we were near Petersburg just soon after Col. Dwight was killed. Since my last we have made our final attack upon the enemy's formidable works and carried them. This was Sunday April 2nd. A big Sundays job. The cutting in two of the rebel army southwest of Petersburg caused the evacuation of said place and also of Richmond. Monday morning the pursuit of Lees army commenced. We had got him out of his fortifications and all felt confident of his ultimate destruction. Sheridan with his cavalry would get in his flanks - cut his trains and bother him in every way possible. (At the time of Lee's surrender he could not march 3 miles either way without getting into a fight. He could not reach Lynchburg with his army.) His army got short of provisions the men disheartened and were deserting in large numbers. He undertook to make a stand one afternoon at Little Sailor Creek in order to check us until dark so that he could get off his train. Our Corps. being near at hand the impetuous Sheridan rushed in the 1st and 2nd Divisions as they had got up, they had to charge through the creek and swamp where the mud and water was up to the waist and there up the hill on which the rebs were posted. Johnny fought well but it was no use. They broke before the 6th and Custar coming up in their rear many threw down their arms. It is said that some 8 or 9 thousand prisoners were taken along the line that day. The next morning we were in hot pursuit and Johnny could find no rest. It was continual skirmishing from the time we left Petersburg. Destroying the rebel trains - taking prisoners etc. It was sort of a running fight in which Cavalry were mostly engaged and when the Cavalry could not force them further then up came the infantry an Lee concludes that he cannot stand them until he reaches Lynchburg and he flies again. They look out for Sheridan and the Cavalry.
Well the 9th of April we were marching along as fast as our wearied limbs would carry us, hearing the booming of the Light Artillery (attached to the Cavalry) a head and calculating that about 3 o'clock P.M. would bring us in the fight.

Afternoon came - we filed out of the road into a field stacked arms and rested - were told to cook coffee supposed it was to refresh ourselves before the battle - but the firing just ahead ceased. What did it mean - various rumors flew around - but nobody knew. Men looked at each other and tried to guess the cause. Finally we were told to go in camp for 2 or three days - then the question arose - what will be the result. Finally the offical news came, Lee had surrendered with his army - how the boys cheered - how the hats and caps flew in the air -the batteries fired saluates, the men were fairly beside themselves with joy - 2 hours before we had expected to fight - but now how different. Well you have read it all. We have marched back as far as Burksville Station and are here in camp. The surrender of Lee was at what is called Clover Hill.
Last night we heard of the murder of Lincoln. The men all feel like taking vengeance on someone. That foul murder has hurt the rebel cause more than the losing of twenty thousand men to them. I wish the soldiers had the murderer and all those that sympathize with him, to deal with as they saw fit. We are anxious to get a late paper with all the particulars. You don't know how we feel about it here. I have not had a letter from in a good while though we have had two mails since we left Petersburg.
Herbert