Camp of the 140th Regt. N. Y. Zouaves
Near Petersburg, Va. on Weldon Railroad
September 12th 1864
Dear Sister,
Yours of the [ th] has been received & with much pleasure perused. I was very glad to have the pleasure of once more receiving a communication from you after waiting very patiently for over one week to hear from some of you. But the long looked for missive has at last arrived & I am most thankful too that the Divine Being has spared my life to have the opportunity of writing you these few lines.
I was very happy to find as I reviewed its contents all very well & in fine spirits, hoping this may reach you safe & find all enjoying life as heretofore & may you by the blessings of God still continue as this leaves me in good health & the very finest spirits considering our present hardships which we have had to undergo since taking possession of the said railroad.
By the perusal of yours I find there are a great many ill around you which I am very sorry to hear but sincerely hope by the time this reaches you they all may be enjoying good health which is the happiest of one’s life.
The weather today has been very cool with a high wind. In fact, it has been cool for [ Â ] times past. The nights are very cool almost [illegible]. A blanket could be used to a very great advantage these cold nights but as we have none at present, we have to get along the best we can until our clothing arrives which will at all probability be on hand in a few days.
Yesterday (Sunday) the contractor who took the railroad to build & relay from City Point to Corps Headquarters of the 5th Corps [to feint to read]….he gave a long continuing round which school which through the woods for miles around. This was merely done to inform the Johnnies of what had been going on for the past few weeks. I have an idea they opened [ Â ] when they heard the whistle of an engine in this direction. They knew Grant had not been idle. Neither does he intend to only look at the victory he & his armies have achieved not long since. The fall of Atlanta has been a severe blow to the Rebel army. God grant ere long [that] Richmond & Petersburg may fall likewise. Our armies have them on the retreat & may they only pause upon the [acceptance] of an unconditional surrender.
September 13th
I have just one year this very day to serve in the army of the U. S. and then I hope I can be a free man once more in this world & enjoy the pleasures of a home circle. By that time I want to see this wicked Rebellion crashed to the Earth and that Loyal Standard be unfurled to the free breeze of Freedom.
Everything is quiet in our left front. Occasionally a shot from the sharpshootersbursts forth in our ears [illegible] the right in front of the 9th Corps the musketry is kept up continually. Also the mortars & siege guns. We have a fifteen inch mortar on the right mounted non a railroad car & stationed in the track which molest the enemy night and day. Yesterday the Rebs took possession of the Davis House & last night our pickets advanced & drove the enemy from there & took repossess of the said house & at fired it & burnt it to ashes. They have caused us a great deal of trouble for some time past but I think it will no more.
Our regiment is encased in a beautiful place—that is we have the camp all fixed up with evergreens & policed up nicely. The may be the last opportunity I have to write you for a long time. If so, do not [illegible].. but at what point & what place is unknown. But when it takes place, it will be a terrible conflict in my idea though I may be greatly mistaken.
You wanted information as to who I was going to cast my vote for. I can tell you no one until O can have the privilege of casting my vote as a free man. If I had a vote, it would be for Abraham Lincoln as he is [paper creased and illegible] … Do not think I am a nigger lover for I am far from it. Banish them from the land I say. Adieu for the present. Accept from your loving brother. — C. C. Miller
I received the money & stamps.
Spared & Shared 21 