Item description: Letter from William Martin. Martin’s letter of 23 August 1864 stated that he was entrenched near Petersburg, Va. He also related that Benjamin Brown had been wounded in the hand. The same letter comments on short rations and lists the high prices for food.

Item citation: From the Hattie McIntosh Papers #4794, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription:

1864
Petersburg, Va.
Aug. 23th

Miss Hr. R. Mcintosh
Martindale, NC
Respected Friend,
I embrace the present as a honourable opportunity of addressing you a few lines which will inform you that I am well at this time and hope when these lines come to hand they will find you all enjoying good health. 

We are in the trenches near Petersburg have been ever since Tuesday last when we got back from our raid on the Weldon R.R. There we had the hardest fight in which I have Participated yet. There it was that Pete B. Dewese fell pierced through the breast by a minnie ball. Benj Browne was wounded in the hand our co. lost 12 men in killed, wounded, and missing. (Turn over) 

Well Harriet they are trying men’s souls now on quarter rations and fighting so much the men are getting very tired of such work. I seen Henry Hill and Milton a few days since they were well and hardy. I also seen some of R.J. Sifford’s company. Where is Wm of Sifford 

They weather here is getting cool at night we have had an abundance of rains (over) for some weeks past. Everything here sells very high chickens 25 dollars a piece eggs 10 $ per day apple 2-3 $ per dozen peaches do order 1 per pt. we are all out of money always. So we do not buy much now. I must close. 

Give my love to Julian and Bud in fact all the family accepting a goodly portion yourself.

Very Resply. Yours
Write Soon. Write often
Wm.  M. Martin