Dear Wife,
I write once more to inform you that I am well and hopeing you are
the same - I wrote you the 14th on Board Steamer Swanee which I suppose you
have received before this.- we landed at Bermuda Hundred Landing the evening
of the 14th - landed and marched 4 miles and camped for the night - the next
morning we Started at 3 O clock - marched to the Point of Rocks on the
appomattox River crossed on a Pontoon Bridge and Started in the direction of
Petersburg - there were two divisions of the 18th corps about 12,000 men and
a Brigade of 300 negroes - we got within 2 ½ miles of the city with out
serious opposition - there we found the enemy Strongly Posted behind their
works - we formed a line of Battle and moved up to about ¼ of a mile of
their works where we laid till 6 O clock in the evening waiting for a part
of Grants army to come up to our assistance - at that time we heard that the
2nd corps was within 4 miles of us and the order was immediately given to
Storm the works as delay was dangerous, for we could see large reinforcements
coming to the aid of the enemy and they were within 2 miles of them - when
the order to charge was given, the movement was so bold and unexpected that
it took the enemy entirely by surprise and before they could get themselves
in position, we were upon them - and when their line was once broken they
broke and ran the best they knew how - the first work was a 5 gun Battery
and ours was the first Regiment in, and in half an hour our forces had
taken their entire line of 2 or 3 miles in length and the Strongest
Position I have ever seen - it is a range of hills circling around the south
side of Petersburg about 2 miles from the city - the next morning a
large part of lees army were in the city and attacked some parts of our line
but it was too strong for him and our artillery kept up a constant fire on
his troops - we staid there till the evening of the 17th when we came to
our present Position where we arrived yesterday - we are near where we were
4 weeks ago in a very good place ½ mile from James River on a high Plain -
we have excellent water - I do not know how long we will stay here - I
think Richmond will be ours very soon - Grant holds all the (Roads lead
this is crossed out) Rail Roads leading south from Petersburg - Lee has
fallen back to the North side of the stream - niether (sic) army Occupies
the city now but we can occupy it any time we wish - the last move of
Grants army is one of the greatest successes of the war - the losses of
our Regiment on Friday were very light - 20 will cover the whole loss
killed and wounded - the Prospect boys are all right. I have not heard any
thing from you since I wrote last, but expect a letter every day. you must
be sure and not forget to write often as I will let you know if we move
from here. it is very evident to me that the hardest fighting is over, and
I shall be glad to get back to see you all - give my love all the friends -
if you cant read this send it back and I will send you ---(mistake) another -
I hold my paper in one hand and write with the other - from you loving Husband
Linus R Clark