Near Yorktown April 20^th/62

Dear Father,

Having awaited for some time, in expectation of receiving a letter from home, but being disappointed on the reception of each mail, I have come to the conclusion that you either, did not receive my letters, or, your letters have been detained at Fortress Monroe, or Washington - The mails are very irregular - there must be an immense amount of mail matter some place, as this portion of the Army have not received a single full mail since we arrived here - Since writing my last nothing of much interest has transpired - a few skirmishes, a good many artillery drills, & a vast amount of work in erecting batteries for our sized guns, digging trenches etc have occupied the larger portion of this Army. I have spent all my leisure hours in examining our works, and the enemy’s also when I could get the opportunity - I think, with out boasting, that I can say truly that I travelled over a greater part of the Country between York James River, than any one in our Division - On the 16^th Capt Peck[?] & myself concluded to visit Ship Point, distant about 8 miles from our encampments, our route led through a beautiful country, well timbered - over a road which our troops have constructed since their arrival, by cutting down timber, and covering the same with earth - most of the farm houses had been deserted by their owners, or occupied by the females of the family, the males "having been impressed into the rebel army", they say all their families have a guard of our soldiers to protect their property, this guard being detailed at their own request - All that I have conversed with are undoubtedly "secesh[?]" though they do not openly manifest it - yet a short conversation will satisfy the most incredulous - Ship Point is at the mouth of Chusomans[?] Creek, and is now used by our Army as a shipping point, being much more direct than via "Fortress Monroe" - We saw any number of vessels loaded with provisions, freight[?] etc for our troops - It is now fortified, and when occupied by the "rebels", mounted 10-32 pound Columbiads[?], is a good work, though not as formidable as those at "Howards Mills" - It had a row of rifle pits on the water side: with [?] [?] casements[?] - In the interior they had very comfortable log houses, plastered and floored - these quarters are now used by our sick and wounded - On the 24^th Cap^t P. another gentleman & myself started over to Mrs Farenholds[?], situated on York River, and in direct range of the enemys guns - We had not proceeded far before we had an opportunity of seeing a specimen of their gunnery, one of the party concluding that it was not exactly a safe place - beat[?] a hasty retreat; but the Captain & I continued on our way, determined to obtain some memento[?] from the place - On reaching the house we were gratified by a distinct view of the rebel fortifications, saw their guns on their parapets - their flag, with the "Stars & bars" floating very independently[?] in the breeze - On the left of the house, concealed by a few peach trees, were[?] our men busily engaged in planting a strong battery - They[?] our men have already planted 5 - 100 pounder Paust[?] siege guns - and are still busy at work

On the right were three of our "Gun Boats", at which occassionally, the rebels would [?] throw a large shell, the latter passing over the house would explode in the river - sometimes they would drop near the house, and tear up thing’s generally - The climate proving rather too hot, we procured a few flowers as mementos of our visit, and decamped for "Grafton[?]", a fort situated a little to the rear, and which the Rebels evacuated the day we left arrived - They had however managed to carry their heavy guns with them - It is now occupied with by "1^st Connecticut Artillery". On the 25^th Liut Pleasants[?] of the 11^th U S. Infantry, a native of Sunbury, called to see us, I think you are acquainted with his father - He informed me that Dick Parker of Lewistown was in the 12^th Regular[?] and stationed near him - David Montgomery of Muncy, is also encamped near them - Maize[?] is acquainted with both of them. On the 26^th the 1^st Massachusets, whilst on picket, managed to get behind a rifle pit held by the rebels, they captured the whole party, including picks, shovels etc. - our men lost but twenty killed - Yesterday being pleasant and having nothing do, I procured the company of my friend Capt Peck, and started on[?] another tour of investigation - We started down the Yorktown road, and after walking about two miles, we turned to left and came out at the encampment of the 52^d Reg^t P.V - When much to my surprise I met Beach[?] [?] of Lewisburg, he was well and in good spirits - As I was introduced to the Quarter Master Mr Rice of Wilkes barre, who insisted on my dining with him, At dinner he introduced me to the Chaplain, who I recognized to be a Mr Barber[?] (old Sammy I think) he Knew you very well when you lived in Milton, said he saw you during the Winter in Lewisburg - After a very hearty dinner we started out in search of the 104^th P.V, - took the road to Warwick Court House, saw where the Rebels had blockaded the roads, and where our troops had constructed better ones - After walking a good many miles we found the encampment of the 52^d P.V. in which I learned Capt James Chamberlain was stationed- We called to see him, but was very sad[?] to learn that he had that morning gone out on picket duty - I hope however to see him again - We then found the 104^th P.V. in which Capt Pecks[?] brother was Surgeon, I had Known him before - We remained there all night with the Dr, and returned to day pretty well tired out, but pleased with our visit - The Dr was very anxious for me to remain with him - During the night his Regt was called out, with the - 8^th Maine, to make a reconasaince they soon returned how ever, having lost two men. The Cap^t & I came very near being shot on our return by some scoundrel[?], the [?] ball whistling close to our heads - I had almost forgotten to mention a curiosity shown us whilst on our trip - The "Union Revolving Rifle", owned by Col Van Wyck[?], Congressman the gun is mounted like an ordinary field peice, though the barrel is but little longer than a common rifle - On the breach[?] is placed a hopper, just such as you have seen on corn shellers - The cartridges are placed in the hopper, just as you would shovel in corn, & when all is ready, you turn a crank that is attached to the peice and out fly the balls at the rate of 150 per minute - They use an ounce ball which are thrown the distance of one mile with great accuracy - The arrangement is very simple, similar to shelling corn, which gave rise to its new name, "the corn sheller", Col Van Wyck has three of these peices, with which he proceeds to the picket lines every morning, and shells away at the Rebels, from morning until evening - We have had rather unpleasant weather, cold rain one day, and very warm the next - the trees are now covered with leaves - on Sunday last we had a very good dinner on "greens", the first of the season This evening the enemy are throwing their shells, rather too near our quarters to make letter writing a very pleasant task, the shells are whistling over head very distinctly, they are throwing at our Gun Boats I suppose - Have you heard anything in refference to Mr. Hale? if [?] I hope he will do so soon, as I have an idea that Sec Welles[?] will not remain long in the cabinet- I notice the appointment of several Asst. Paymasters in the Navy - I am anxious to get some position there if I can - and I think if they try, it can be done -