142nd Ohio Infantry - Battle Content

Item LTR-10137

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


Camp Near Point of Rocks, Virginia
Saturday
June 18th 1864

Dear Brother,

I embrace the present opportunity to write a few lines to you to inform you that the sooner you answer those that I did write you the better. We have so much to do here that we can hardly take time to eat. When I last wrote, I was standing guard. Well as soon as we were relieved on Wednesday, the regiment was ordered into the rifle pits where we remained all day and all night.

During the night the rebs instead of marching us evacuated the works in our front and fell back. Early Thursday morning, two brigades of old troops followed them while the rest of us were called out armed and equipped and marched about a mile to right and each man furnished with a shovel when we proceeded to the deserted works and leveled them down. We worked hard until five o’clock when the troops that went out in the morning marched past and formed in the rear. About that time, we started and had just reached our tents when the sound of musketry told that our men were attacked by the rebs. They came in with a yell but were soon repulsed. Our loss I did not ascertain. We ate our supper, were ordered into the breastworks for the night. About nine o’clock there came an order to detail nine men and a sergeant for picket duty. I was elected to go. Our picket lines extended around the farther side of the works the rebs had deserted the night prior.

We were stationed on the inside or second line of pickets. All was still during the night. But about four o’clock in the morning, the pickets on our right about a quarter of a mile distant were attacked. While we were listening to the noise of the firing, suddenly bang! Bang! Went the guns in front and whirl! Whirl! Came bullets around our heads. I tell you Abe, for a few moments I felt kinda curious you’d better believe. Our boys in the front line were reinforced by sharp shooters and held their ground. We lay behind the line of works thrown up by the rebs while the balls whistle over our heads. Two dead and three wounded men were carried past us during the day. About four in the afternoon the rebs charged the rifle pits in force and the way the boys broke from the front lines was a cantion. We lay still until the front line passed us and the rebs flanked us. When we thought it time to leave, four of company C and one of company I brought up the rear. We halted at our own rifle pits and kept them at bay. I fired 28 rounds before they did themselves. None of our regiment were hurt. Although the balls fell like rain. But you are already tired of this. I am well. There is very heavy firing in the direction of Petersburg. Large reinforcements are arriving here. I must close. Give my love to Grandfather and the folks at home.

Goodbye.

Yours,

G. E. E.