Lyman S. Williams to Lois L. Williams
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Again I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines this morn to let you know
that I am still in good health and also to give you a short account of my
travels for the last week. Last Saturday night (the 10 9th) we left
our position on the left of the army in front of Petersburg at about 11 O’clock
P.M. and marched all night and arri- ved at City Point Monday Sunday
morn at 6 A.M. remained there untill 4 P.M. when we went on board of the steam
transport Webster and started down James river and passed the
Iron clad ram Atlanta taken from the rebels at Savanah anchored just above Fort
Powhatan and came to anchor about 8 O’clock P.M. and lay there untill day light
Tuesday Monday morning when we again started on our voyage down
the river passing Fort Monroe and then up the Chesapeak bay and into the Potomac
river and ancored about 8 O’clock P.M. a little below Aquia Creek for the night
Wednesday Tuesday morn started early and arrived at Washington
about 10 A.M. and immediatly went ashore at the foot of Seventh St. and marched
up that St. to Fort Stevens and arrived there about
noon. The enemy
were there about 800 yards from the Ft and had been within 300 yds. but the 3rd
Brigade of our Div. arrived there first and went out and drove their scurmish
line back At a little before dark the rebs attacted them but they found those
there that they did not expect and were driven back with a conciderable loss. A
little after dark our Brigade went out and releaved the 3rd Brigade and there
was no fighting after that save a little scumishing and during the night they
retreated and left us masters of the field Thursday Wednesday morn we
got up early and scouted all over the country for three or four miles out and
found
nothing of the enemy save a few stragglers and about 75
wounded and a good many dead. We captured about 50 stragglers and then were
releaved about noon and went back to camp in the rear of Fort Stevens and
remained there untill about 4. P.M. when we started in pursuit of the rebs. and
marched all night resting only about 3 hours Friday Thursday we
marched to Poolsville and camped for the night had a scurmish with the rebs Lay
in camp all day and night Friday. Saturday we started and came up with the rear
guard of the rebs. at Whites Ford on the Potomac and one of our batterys shelled
them for a few moments when they fled and we commenced
fording the
river. The river is here about 65 rods wide and about from two to
four feet deep where we waded it and then marched to Leesburg arriving there
about 4 P.M. and rested. The rear of the rebels passed through Leesburg about
half an hour before we got there. After resting awhile we continued our march to
this place where we arrived at dark and camped for the night. Sunday morn. I
have done nothing but write I have written to Mary and now I am writing.
Leesburg is the prettyest village in all Va and is situated among the hills in a
beautifull country. I should like to live here
first rate if it were
not for the war. I do not know what we are going to do now whether we shall
continue to follow the enemy any longer or leave him to Gen. Hunter. Gen Hunters
forces captured sixty two wagons and 400 prisoners from the enemy of last night.
Our Mayerland Campain has been short this time as the rebels did not care to
stay long after they found the 6th Corps were there to fight them yet they had
more than four times our number. I am well. how are you all at home and what are
you all doing &c. &c. Lt. Fletcher started for home with the Regt.
Saturday morn. their time being
out. I was sorry and glad to see
them go. Sorry to loose their help and society and glad that they were going
home to their friends Is Cousin Sarah there with you still if so give her my
respects. I do not feel like writing more now Give Carrie a kiss for me and
write to me often.
This from your aff. BrotherLt. L S Williams
Co. “C.” 6th Regt
Vt. Vols.