Ransom W. Towle to Sister and Friends
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Your letter No. 29 rec’d Today Sorry to learn of the poor prospect for Crops at
home.it seems difficult to believe having freezes at this Season. here it is hot
enough to boil eggs any Day and all Crops are looking very promising Our Picquet
line is in an Oat Field where oats are up shoulder high An adjoining Wheatfield
corresponds. Peaches nearly grown and apples promising Day befor yesterday no
mail went out to take out my line home Yesterday I was a little unwell and
rather busy and did not write. Contrary to Everybodys expectations there was
no movement Friday nor yet at all that is a general Engagement when
it will come I dont dare to guess. There seems to be large forfeits at stake on
the issue of the Battle of Richmond If the Enemy make a stand and gives battle
it looks as if it must be their final stand. They have chosen their own ground
and got the advantage of position. An attack must be made up a bluff over
natural obstructions and in the face of a succession of Rifle Pits and masked
Batteries. The Rebs seem to be trying our strength pretty thoroughly two miles
to the left from here in front of the Railroad Station where all our spplies now
come they being shipped up the River to Whitehouse Landing thence by rail one
prisoner taken yesterday says they are bound to get possession of our Supplies
there. Last night they advanced in force upon our Pickets one mile to the left
to try our strength Our Picquets fell back on Reserve which was reinforced when
the action became spirited finally some of our big siege guns were brought to
bear and settled the hash with Grape and Canister Losses heavy on both sides but
the figures I have not yet learned All is very quiet in our front. Picquets
within twenty rods in some places. Sometimes they get together swap Canteens
Coats Caps Coffee for Whiskey and exchange Papers and have a good time generally
They say they get no tea or coffee but plenty of whiskey. They are very busy
fortifying and things look far more like a fight than
they did a
week ago. Our Boys feel confident of success perhaps too much so. I fear they
do. If fighting is done here it will be the most Sanguine Battle of the war They
know if that the eyes of the world are anxiously turned to Richmond and they
know their credit goes up or down with the decision of a general engagement here
Henry Simonds is getting cough and now our pioneer. The Rochester Boys about the
same as when I wrote particularly Eugene Bull from Hancock Recruit in Co E. some
sick and a good deal homesick I have paid out most all my money after paying
Eight Dollars for a pair of Boots. My appetite has been poor and have bought
some Lemons and oranges at ten cts a piece Wish Father would send me a
Dollar.
Ever the Same Ransom