On the Battlefield
Near Petersburg June 18th '64
My Dear Wife
A few lines to inform you that myself & alfred are (?) well thank god for (?) in a very hard fight yesterday or last night but alfred & myself escaped without a scratch or scar in our co there is 26 missing killed & wouded 8 of our co we found dead this morning the 1 brigade of this division charged on the rebs breastworks & battery yesterday about 10 or 11 o clock & was repulsed then we layed around all day & about 6 oclock we formed in a ravine & about sundown everything being ready we charged them there was either 2 or 3 lines ahead of us when we started but they laid down under the destructive fire which the rebs poured onto us we had to charge over a corn (?) about a quarter of (?) you can guess whether it was not a pretty warm place for us when the other lines laid down the cry was forward 14th and forward we went & drove them like sheep & held the works for nearly 2 hours till we got out of ammunition
then they charged us & away we went back as fast as our legs could carry us but rallyed immiediatey & took them & held them & the rebs just got right up & skedadalded & our troops are advanced a good ways in advance of where the rebs was & they say petersburg is on fire & our boys have taken the (?) this morning we (?) battlefield in entrench (?) the 2d corps has gone ahead to day we are what they call relieved to day that is we are in the rear and the others are ahead but I think the rebs are pretty well routed & our artillery playing into them to day & bombarding or shelling petersburg
& they say it is afire thank god he spared me & alfred while many was called away in an instant it was a pretty hard sight on the field this morning but the dead are buried & the wounded (?) & alls well. the rebs are whipped & thats what we want Now darling one I got a letter from your mother last this morning that paper & them stamps for alf & me & tobacco & money & them combs are bully good one
now darling I was very glad to hear you was over your confinement allright but if it the little girl had lived it would have been company for you till I return again but never mind it is for the best you (?) take care now but yourself & (?) come home again we will give (?) i'll bet dont you think so (?) just gently hump her through thats whats the matter & I don't know as we can complain that it did not live on account of trying to get rid of it in the first place I think we will not do so again for it is not right
dont feel bad about it it is all for the best & god knows what is the best for us all put your trust in him I think we had ought to be thankfull that he has spared you & me so far & I pray he may (?) return now fannie I feel in good health & spirits so does alf & Ed tubbs is well sends his respects alf & me send our love to all of you mine I send to you in particular (?) at present from
Your loving husband Charlie P.S. I are writing this so (?) when I can send (?) for I know you will be anxious to hear.
we have not got a field officer dont send letters in care of any captain we have now & they come as well without keep the little things you got so I can see them when I come home
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