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    Near PetersBurgh Va

July 31st 1864

Esteemed Friend

                Jenny

Once more was I pleased to hear from you & that you were still bearing onward triumphantly in your noble mission. As for your Humble Servt. He is still ploding along with the fears cares and fatigues incident to the Soldiers on the field of strife. Blessed with luck Health & strenght & great endurance. Activity and action still prevails through out the whole Army. The sun rose yesterday morning in all its glory to witness another of those terrific days by which this war is prosecuted. For some time great preperations have been made for a grand assault upon Petersburgh. a rebel Fort had been underminded a quantity of Powder placed beneath it sufficient to raise it heavenward & the artillery Had orders upon the Blowing up of this Rebel Hold to be ready to open at once vigorous- sly, about daylight came the remendous Report and the days work was Begun. A Regiment were in the fort at the time of its destruction & now lie far beneath the face of the earth, only 12 escaping. All is quiet to day after so grand & excited a day in [?] the fortifications of the cockade city of the old dominion but with out resulting in anything favorable to us further than the destroying of the fort & many noble fellows were stricken down, a sacrifice to the unholy infatuatuions of evil men who by their dark treason of their souls have waiged this war to gratify thier wicked & evil ambitions. I would that it would cease, but dark & fearful times are ahead. The end is not yet.

               I have just received

a letter from cousin Lib for the first. Truly she has been as punctual as I was. But I spose I cannot in reason chastise Her [?] but if I wait as long as she did to answer I should wait untill holidays & this reminds me of the gay times & weddings you speak of in your letters of the long long Holiday that [?] Heaven Grant We may enjoy. I spose when a fellow gets Home He will stand alone all His companions on the high & exalted throne of connubiality. Succes attend then many changes Jenny since we were with Phin on His campaign. [?] mrs. Leroy [thunder Square?] Write soon as you can [conven?] accept assurances of Respect & Friendship Will H

                 Battery B

School [Maam?] NY Artillery

                   fith army Corp

P.s. I forgot to mention that I saw John White not long since well & hearty

 Jenny