Below city point on the James
July 4th 1862
Dear Parents
I suppose you are waiting anxiously and with suspense for a letter from me: think perhaps because you do not get one that I am killed, wounded or taken prisoner: but I can assure you with a joyful heart that I am neither of the three but to the contrary. I am today alive and well, yes alive and well and I need not thank any other then my God for my preservation through the dangers that I have passed for the last week.
I think the 22nd was the last time I wrote you. I since then I have had no chance whatever until now. You have doubtedly heard of the recent Battles before Richmond and perhaps the results. So I will mention nothing except what concerns our Regiment. On Friday one week ago today we were in a fierce hard fought battle: the 16th were engaged and maybe we in killed wounded and missing 216 including Col Marsh: our companies loss was (6) six killed 14 wounded that we know about and 2 missing. We do not know whether they are dead or prisoners. Sufficient to say they are gone from us. Col Marsh was shot through the neck with a rifle ball. He was alive yesterday but was not expected to live from one hour to another. Have not heard from him today. We miss him sadly from the Regt but the poor man will never be with us more. He was on his horse cheering on the men when the fatal blow felled him to the ground - Col Howland was wounded but slightly, will be with use again in a few days. I will give you a list of the killed and wounded of our Compay. You may be acquainted with some of them. I suppose you will wonder how and why we are way down here on the James some 20 miles from the Chickahominy: I will tell you we have been retreating. Its laughable, but we have really been retreating: but a very different retreat from that of Bull Run. This is strategy and Gen M C is the main operator. We commenced last Sunday morn and yet here Wednesday night. Franklin's Division were rear guard on Monday and a narrow chance we had. We were almost surrounded and only for the stern and determined mind of our men to resist we would have been prisoners. Our Regt lost 2 killed and 6 wounded on that day. None our of Co. I have never known anything about soldering until the past 2 months and I can say we have had a good deal of it in that time. But thank fortune Frank has been spared so far and he cant be too tankful. Well its 4th of July with you. How are you all spending it. As for me I am resting today is the first day of rest in 10 days. I have just been out to cheer Little MC?? Smiling and good as ever but very muddy. It rained very hard all day and night Wednesday: I saw Miran Bleishel day before yesterday. He was very well and in good spirits. Well I guess I must close for this time. Will again as soon as convenient and often if we stay here long. You must not feel hard if you don't hear quite as often as usual. Neither need you worry if you don't get letters so often. I will do as well as possible. Give my love to all without distinction and accept the best wishes of your son.
Frank
Envelop addressed to
Mr Natt Baldwin
Hogansville NY