Editor’s Note: This item is part of a collection of letters and diary entries from soldiers of the 8th New York Heavy Artillery written while the unit was at the Siege of Petersburg. Researcher and author Kathryn Lerch generously donated all of the items in this collection for use at The Siege of Petersburg Online.
Sgt. T. J. Dean Letter June 23, 18641
June 23rd 64
Directly South of Petersburg about 4 miles behind brestworks we took last night ben skirmish fighting all day
Dear Mother & All Friends
whome this may interest I just had the pleasure of reading a letter from You dated June 17th. Our company lost in Wounded yesterday but 7 perhaps more but think not. they have not all come in yet. We cant tell precisely. the Rebels are changing there position in front of us. they appear to be massing there troops for a charge on our works. Col Bates was wounded last night besides quite a number other officers killed and wounded. I am well. Wm Osborn Gillis and all from our parts are yet alive and well. . . . I led the company into the charge last night. our men has been marched so much there spirits are verry low. they are nearly jaded out but we executed what we intended to when we started. we took the works. Petersburg is not taken yet. we have got troops nearly all around it. we have cut nearly all the railroads leading into Richmond. that is our business as this point. we cut two roads yesterday. I will write more when I get rested. Give my best wishes to All. I recd a letter from Bert stateing he was getting along finely. From the Soldier Boy. T J Dean
Source:
- In possession of Kathryn W. Lerch and part of manuscript history of Eighth New York Heavy Artillery 1862-1865 ↩