8th Regt.. Vt. Vols.. Co.. A June 19th 1863 Sister Almeda,

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I will endeavor this morning to write a few lines to let you know that I am yet alive and enjoying verry good health. We are stil in the rear of Port Hudson and stil pecking away at the rebels but have not gained much ground since the day we drove them out of the woods. Last Sunday we were ordered to make a charge on their entrenchments; this was done some ways further to the left of the line than what our brigade are stationed of course General Weitzels brigade must go ahead; our brigade consists of the 8th Vt. 12th Conn., 75th 114th & 160th N..York regts. to get up to the rebs we had to go over a peice of ground that is cut into 10,000 little hill and ravines all covered with fell timber crossed up in all directions; we got over most of this before they opened fire upon us much; but when we got up in good range of them they sent ball buck shot and cold led among us like a hail storm, and we were obliged to fall behind the hill logs and stumps to save our bacon; or rather we were ordered to do so. we held our position through the day and when night

came our brigade went back to the place whare we started from in the morning - and other troops were left to hold the ground that we gained by the charge. our loss was heavy; our regt went on to the ground with some over 300 men - and out of them we had 12 killed and 69 wounded and some few are missing; our brigade lost more than most of them because we were ahead. our Company was verry lucky we had only one man hurt he was shot through the arm, our ajutant was killed and 2 or 3 comisioned officers wounded; Lieut Col. Dillingham had two balls put through his hat and several through his coat and pants. What of us got through without being hurt have reason to thank God and not men.

The Elmore boys are all well only Wesley he has been sick - but the last I heard from him he was getting better. I wrote a letter to Mr. Chase the other day but I have heard that the garillas took the man prisoner when he was going to the boat with it; if the rebs got hold of it - he will get cheated our of his letter. I have recd your letters up to the 26th of May; you wrote that you hadent heard from me for some time and began to worry about me; it isent any use to worry about these things - we given up all such idears as that and concluded to let things come but end foremost or any other way that they see fit to let it come. Another thing when we are on the march we dont have a chance to write every day.

Tell Mother that the day she went out to Morrisville after Samanthas bonnet I was hunting gray backs in the woods; and thank God some of us caught some of them - some of them we took alive and some of them we took their hearts blood from them; and others run so that a pigeon couldent begin to keep up with them I hope Mother had a pleasant ride and got Samantha her new bonnet and all things nice.

I suppose it makes it bad for you that are at home and for Lyman - my being gone, but you may think your selves pretty well of in Vermont if you have neit- her friends nor money - what those are that are in the army. but by saying this I dont wish to have you think that I am complaining at all of a soldiers lot I have seen much better fare most of the time than I expe- cted; I never have seen the time yet when I have suffered for any thing to eat or drink; I dont think there eve was a army better provided for than ours; the most of the complaints we hear or you hear at home about food and hard times are made by those who thought they were coming out here to have a good easy time out of it – and are some what disappointed and are homesick and cant find any thing else to grumble about; fact they were never weaned til they come out here - but I guess they will get weaned before they get home again.

I guess I can write a little more now - Steph and I have just eat our lunch of melted sugar and crackers - and I bought a bottle of pickles this morning so we have quite a change to day. the pickles taste nice I tel you for they are something [new]

What has Father done with his horse and cow does he keep them to Lymans or what has become of them. I havent had a letter from Lyman since the 26th of April; I suppose he is so busy sawing that he hasent much time to write. I should like to have him send me little Herberts picture. I suppose he is growing so fast that he dont I shouldent know him if I dont see his picture once in a while; I should like to have all your pictures but I know you havent mony to spare nor a chance to get them taken. O’h? Can it be if I should live to get home that there will be no dear Charlie thare that I antisipated of taking so much comfort with on the old place; but a most every letter I get whether from home or from other friends - they speak of Dear Charlies death - and I am obliged to believe that it is so. We have had some showers lately but to day it is verry pleasant and warm; the boys stand out door & woods life much better than I should suppose they could; how much longer it will be before we get around to our tents and into Camp again is yet to be told. I recd a letter from Brother Cooper the other day they were well and appeared to like well; do you hear any thing from Emma Gale - and whare is she; does Orrison ever call on you since he moved to Hyde Park; I must close for this time; please write often oblige your far of Brother; give my love and best wishes to Mother & Samantha and all the rest, and except the same your self; yours respectfully

J. F. Gale