SOLDIER 63 



and up the next side. The consequence was we were exposed 

 to a sweeping fire and everything got jumbled and mixed 

 up, so that by the time the ditch was reached there were 

 parts of eight or ten regiments in the direst confusion, 

 without head or tail. It took several hours to straighten 

 matters out, and just as we were ready to go at them 

 again the order was countermanded. We lay there in the 

 burning sun until night, and then withdrew with our 

 wounded and dead under cover of the darkness. Ah, Dick, 

 these Sunday attacks are worse than useless! They are 

 criminal. It was with a heavy heart I went in on the 14th, 

 for I felt we could do nothing. 



General Banks has now called for a thousand volunteers, 

 with officers, to lead in storming the works. Old Daddy has 

 volunteered, not from any desire of reputation or honor, 

 I assure you, but only because there seemed to be a lack of 

 officers and it seemed my duty to go. It is a desperate 

 undertaking, but I am in the hands of One who is able to 

 avert the deadly missiles if he sees fit. Captain Allen of 

 the 31st Massachusetts was wounded but slightly on Sun- 

 day, and Clary of '61 was killed. Captain Bliss of the 52d 

 Massachusetts was badly wounded and has subsequently 

 died. Ceph Gunn and Frank Stearns are all right, but Jut 

 Kellogg and Severance are both sick in New Orleans and 

 have not been up here at all during the siege. I had a letter 

 from Pater Gridley the other day. He is still in Baltimore. 

 Wishes to meet some of the fellows this summer, but I do 

 not expect (if I am alive and well) to reach home before 

 September for our time is not out until the llth of August. 

 However, nothing preventing, I shall make a tour among 

 the fellows when I get back. Along with your letter I got 



