8-page letter written by Corp. Augustus DeForest, 7* New Jersey Vols. DeForest provides a running commentary on his Regiment's battles from June 2 at Cold Harbor to June 22 at Petersburg. Excellent fighting content:
Headquarters 7th Regt N.J. Vols Near Petersburg, Va June 28th /64
Friend George,
When I left home I promised that I would write and should have done so before but
could not find time. Ever since I joined my Reg we have been busy both night and day. If it was not fighting it was marching nearly as hard, but not quite so dangerous. I cannot give you all the particular on this campaign, for I was not in the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, but I have been in several since. I joined my Reg on the 2nd of June at Cold Harbor and was not with it but a few hours before we had a shake with the Rebs. we remained there two or three days and moved by the plank to Parkers Mills a few miles South of the Harbor. We there threw up breastworks, skirmished with the Rebs and commenced our flank movement on the South side of the James River. On the 13th, nothing occurring of importance at that place with the exception of a thousand lives lost.
Our Reg was on picket when our Corps moved. They moved in the evening of the 12th
and we left our line about four A.M. On the 13th we reached Wilcox landing on the James without any resistance on the part of the Rebs. The course we marched no doubt you have read in the papers. We left the James on the 13th and by forced March found ourselves in front of Petersburg about 12 at night. found the Nigs Had captured the outer works with a number of pieces of Artillery and also Gen. Wise, Ex. Gov. of Va.
The Nigs killed every prisoner they caught but Wise. Their officers not allowing them to molest him. In the morning we turned their works against them and about 5 P.M. made a forward movement but did not proceed far before we had some shooting to do and pretty severe. We drove them nearly half mile when we come upon another line of works. We then charged to within two hundred yards, held our position, and commenced digging. The Rebs charged us a number of times in the night but found us there in the morning with a good stiff rifle pit. My Co. lost 3 killed and 9 wounded. two more of the wounded since died. Names of killed: Joseph Spencer, Jaberg Beers, Andrew Halsey, D. Fenwick, and Allen Pierson, killed on the 17.
On the morning of the 17th murder commenced. Our sharp shooters were sent for and as sure as a Reb showed his head he was killed if he could be hurt and the same on our side. Allen Peirson and two others out of my Co was sent with the sharp shooters and also detail out of every Co in the Reg. Allen was shot through the head and his brain run out but he lived four days unconscious of pain, and insensible. the other two was wounded. You may judge what kind of work it was only two hundred yards apart. On the 18th at day break we charged their works, captured them and come upon a third line. We then halted, went to work with the spade, and at 5 in the afternoon the Jersey Boys and first Maine charged. Their works was 300 yds from ours across an open plain. The word forward charge bayonets double quick soon sounded in our ears, and away went into the valley of death. Suffice it to say we did not take the works but we left 675 lying on the field. The Herald says Gen Birney very wisely withdrew his troops. All very well, nobody but a fool or an idiot would have ordered the charge. The position our Reg occupied was across a man's garden by the name of Dr. Hare. We found a number of letters from Wm Gibbons to Dr. Hare, most of them about horse racing. Dr. Hare kept a race course known as the New Market course somewhere in the vicinity of Petersburg. We have been fighting ever since up to the 23rd, our last grand stampede ending on the 22nd. We are now on the South of the city. The 6th Corps resting on the Reston and Petersburg R.R. and our Corps joining the 6th on their right.
I will not try to give you any description of the battle on the 22nd , for it was a mixed up
concern. All I know was we was sent in the works and our left flank open for the Rebs to come in and flank us. You may bet there was hot work, for an hour or so. We had to fall back and form a new line. The fight was of no advantage to either party. Our Corps was heavy in? but the killed and wounded was heaviest on the Rebs.
Our Reg lost its National Color, but we have captured 7 from the Rebs to make up for
that. My Co lost 8 men prisoners, whether there was any of them killed or wounded 1 am unable to say as we did not regain the ground until in the night. My Co was 65 strong when we left Brandy Station. It now numbers 20 men. You can judge for yourself whether we have seen any fighting. I think we will commence the Siege as we have orders to build our works very strong, and the Siege train has arrived, at least a good portion of it. Our Army at some points does not lay more than ¾ of a mile from Petersburg. I have all confidence in Grant and think by December the Rebellion will be put down. Notwithstanding the hardships we have had to endure, I never was in better health. I have told you the truth as far as I have gone and you must form an idea of your own. I remain Ever your friend, A. DeForest, Co. K 7 N.J.V., 3 Brig, 3 Div, 2nd Corps
Remember me to all Write soon
I expect a long letter from you