SOLDIER 65 



charge will probably take place in a day or two, and I will 

 try and write as soon as possible afterwards. In the event 

 of my falling I have prepared a letter with some slight 

 instructions about my things which I have placed in the 

 hands of Quartermaster Ives. He has kindly promised to 

 look after my traps here and bring them to Hartford on the 

 return of the regiment. 



"There is nothing particular going on just now. Yesterday 

 the rebs made a charge on the centre, endeavoring to cap- 

 ture Terry's marine battery, but they were repulsed with 

 considerable loss. The darkies have behaved splendidly. 

 Two days ago they carried some rifle-pits by storm, and 

 ever since there has been sharp fighting, the rebs making 

 ineffectual attempts to regain them. We are all in good 

 health and spirits and hope for a speedy termination of 

 this terrible conflict. One of the 4th Wisconsin captured 

 on the 14th of June escaped two or three days since, and 

 he is to pilot us in. He represents them as having pro- 

 visions for only a week longer. Would that they had them 

 for only a day! 



" Please send this letter to William [his brother] when you 

 have perused it, and do as you think best about letting 

 A. and E. see it; but it would be better if they could know 

 nothing of the storming-party till it was over. Colonel 

 Birge leads us in person and General Grover leads a strong 

 suppport." 



This body of men was made up principally from New Eng- 

 land and New York regiments, with something like a hun- 

 dred and sixty from the Corps d' Af rique . " Two regiments 

 in this corps, the First and Third Louisiana Guards, ex- 

 pressed their willingness to go. But a selection was made." 



