Ransom W. Towle to Friends
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I just now recd a line from Laura with some paper and envelopes, which I hasten
to use Should liked it better if one of the sheets had been written on last
Friday we left our Camp near Newport News and advanced some ten miles up the
James River to Youngs Mills upon a Rebel Fortification We advanced upon it in
line of Battle the Vt 4th in front and took it with little opposition The Enemy
who were but few in number fired a few volleys and fled. We had none killed and
but one wounded He belonged
to the Rutland Company 5th Reg wound in
the Shoulder not dangerous The balls whistled over my head a little too near to
be pleasant. The 5th being in battle line just behind us Yesterday we marched
most of the way in line of battle upon the line of defense here and opened Siege
in the PM The Enemys works are quite formidable and reach entirely across from
the James to the York River Our force is so disposed as to attack the whole line
at once the right upon Yorktown under McDowell we under Keyes. The Country here
is low and swampy covered with bogs and marshes, and aside from obstructions of
the Enemy is difficult to march over. We have thus far come quite Slow and
carefully with Scouts and Skirmishers in advance Yesterday our Artillery did
little else than to get the range not being able to bring but three or four
pieces to bear as they could not get their heaviest pieces through the Swamps.
This AM they are being got in position as fast as possible. Our loss yesterday
was four killed and several wounded. The Enemys fire is very good and so is ours
Yesterday the Enemys Colors were shot away twice within the Fort probably the
hottest fighting will not be done Today but get our guns in position and find
out what can be learned of the Enemys position and Strength There is a continual
fire kept up between
our Skirmishers and theirs but I must stop as
the man who carries the letters is waiting.
The Same Ransom