Item No. 0518759

This soldier letter was written during General Ulysses S. Grant’s fourth offensive against Richmond and Petersburg in August 1864. In it Private Charles T. Moody of the 5th New Hampshire Volunteers discusses the Second Battle of Deep Bottom. He opens the letter writing that on August 12 his regiment “left our camp at Petersburg & marched to City Point,” where the next day they boarded a steamer heading up the James River. “Our boat was loaded too thick with men,” he writes, adding that he “could lie down & hardly stand up.” They landed at Deep Bottom on the north bank of the river—the same place they had been just two weeks earlier when General Grant had ordered an attempt against Richmond. Because Moody arrived in the middle of the night he “did not know where I was until morning.”

Moody then describes the August 14 advance of the 2nd Corps up the Darbytown Road:

This being Sunday morning—just the day to fight—orders came to advance our lines, which was quickly performed & in a short time could hear the sound of musketry, which brought us to think the old 2 Army Corps had once more done its duty in driving the enemy…. [O]ur Brigade went up as far as White Oak Swamp, finding the enemy too strong for them. Had orders to fall back on our old ground, which occupied only the day before. Then orders came to build breastworks. We built them & had the pleasure of occupying them one night & two days when orders came to fall back….

He also notes how on August 15 the 10th Corps moved across the 2nd Corps rear to the right side of the line: “the 10 Corps came & all that day was spent fixing our lines.” He continues that “everyone thought a general engagement was to take place soon.” On August 16 Moody’s brigade “was then detailed to support the cavalry on the right of the line, which they did with some fighting.” Federal cavalry under general David McM. Gregg advanced up the Charles City Road, and while initially successful were later driven back in confusion by a Rebel counterattack. A truce was called August 17 to allow for the relief of the wounded and burial of the dead.

“Then orders came to build breastworks,” he writes. “We built them & had the pleasure of occupying them one night & two days when orders came to fall back, which was Saturday night.” The 2nd Corps was then withdrawn back south of the James. The operation against Richmond had been designed to prevent Confederate General Robert E. Lee from reinforcing his positions south of Petersburg, where at the same time federal troops were moving against the Weldon Railroad (resulting in the Battle of Globe Tavern).

Moody closes the letter proving there is no rest for the weary:

Having the distance of 20 miles to march through rain & mud took us until next morning at about 7, when we arrived at our old camping ground in front of Petersburg. No orders came for us to put up tents, which of course brought us to think our journey was not at an end, & sure enough after making little coffee & having the rest of three hours, orders came to march & support Gen. Warren, commanding the 5 Corps, which was hotly engaging the enemy, & after fighting several hours took the Weldon Railroad. & here we are today.

The letter was written on four pages of a bifolium letter sheet measuring about 5” x 8”. It is in excellent condition with light toning. Creased at the original mailing folds. Included is the original postal cover with Washington postmark and stamp removed. The full transcript follows:

Camp Behind 5 Army Corps
Breastworks Aug 23d 1864

My Dear Parents
Monday morning. Thought I must write you a few lines. I am well as usual. A week ago Friday we left our camp at Petersburg & marched to City Point. Got in there at 8 in the evening. Then went into camp & stayed until next day. At 4 P.M. orders came to march to the landing & embark. We got on little before dark. After getting everything on headed down the river near Light House Point, then anchored and stayed until 10 P.M., when orders came to hoist anchor & go up the river. Our boat was loaded too thick with men. Could lie down & hardly stand up. At 2 in the morning landed near Deep Bottom where we did before, but did not know where I was until morning. When daylight came found myself on the same ground where was only one week before. This being Sunday morning—just the day to fight—orders came to advance our lines, which was quickly performed & in a short time could hear the sound of musketry, which brought us to think the old 2 Army Corps had once more done its duty in driving the enemy.

During the next day the 10 Corps came & all that day was spent fixing our lines. Everyone thought a general engagement was to take place soon. Our Brigade was then detailed to support the cavalry on the right of the line, which they did with some fighting. Lost 2 killed, 4 wounded, making 6 in all missing from our usual number. The morning before our Brigade went up as far as White Oak Swamp, finding the enemy too strong for them. Had orders to fall back on our old ground, which occupied only the day before. Then orders came to build breastworks. We built them & had the pleasure of occupying them one night & two days when orders came to fall back, which was Saturday night. Having the distance of 20 miles to march through rain & mud took us until next morning at about 7, when we arrived at our old camping ground in front of Petersburg. No orders came for us to put up tents, which of course brought us to think our journey was not at an end, & sure enough after making little coffee & having the rest of three hours, orders came to march & support Gen. Warren, commanding the 5 Corps, which was hotly engaging the enemy, & after fighting several hours took the Weldon Railroad. & here we are today. I have told you as correct as I could. Now must ask a few home matters & stop. Hope these lines will find you all well. My love to all. Write me as often as can. Goodbye from
Your True Son
Charles T. Moody

I have just received your kind letter with Mrs. Ritleton. Will answer soon.