Cornelius Gold, 6th C.V.I., June 1, 1864

Cornelius Gold, 6th C.V.I., June 1, 1864

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties

United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1865)

Cornelius Gold writes to his mother of attacks and casualties suffered by the regiment and the situation in the camp.

1864-06-01

2-29

Bermuda Hundred Va. June 1, 1864
My dear Mother
I hasten to write you a word this morning, whic
I can since none of us can tell one minute what will be the next. Our present
camp is exposed to the enemies funs, and whenever the batteries open
we up stakes + "put" for the trenches not far to go however. My tent is
only a couple of rods in rear of there. Our warning usually comes in the
shape of a shrapnel shell or round shot cleverly tossed over our heads or
in our midst. Then we think its time to "scatter." Three times within the
last thirty six hours our comfort has been disturbed in this way, followed by
a storm of leaden rain + an hail lasting about an hour. Fortunately the
casluatlies bear no proportion to the number of missiles though some are taken
away each time. All the rebel guns in our front opened at 5 o'clock May 30.
again between 1 + 2 P.M. yesterday + the third time about 2 o'clock this
morning. Our regiment has had six men wounded, half of whom will die. One
whose legs were this morning shattered by a shell has since died.
The roll of Grant's artillery comes cheerily to us this morning. Yet it is terrible
too, when we think of its meaning. All we have done or heard this side
Richmond is but childs play in comparison with that, and in its results as it
seems to me valueless. But we wait patiently and confidently the
approach of our Lieutenant General. We trust it will not be long before the nation
will cry out Richmond is fallen, is fallen! May God give us the victory.

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I am in pretty good condition now, have had good quarters, + plenty of victuals + drink
I received shelter tens enough from the camp of the 40th Massachusetts
when deserted by them to make a snug little habitation double walled + all to myself.
since I'm robbing no one else I enjoy it very much. In addition I secured plunder
enough to furnish my home quite handsomely. it consists of a cracker box
mounted on legs for a table, a cane bottom, backchair (of contraband descent), with
legs 6 inches high, a wooden chair, with no back, a nice pine bench, + for a bed
an excellent "stretcher" such as is used to carry wounded from the field. It is
well stained with the blood of the poor fellows it was carried + was hardly dry
when I brought it home. I cover it with my new rubber blanket, and so forget
its painful associations. I reported the prize to our surgeon + told him I had it
for a bed, to which he replied, "keep it then, by all means. I have stretchers enough."
Then I have a broom brush, two small tin pails + as many quart pans, and
if one could if one could only eat tin, I should cook myself up a cast number of curious
dishes. As it is, my culinary department grows in variety every day, and I
am learning a thing or two in frying pan practice. Shall apply for a position
in your kitchen when I go home + be the most useful Biddy that every you had, 
only, don't set me to washing dishes. I detest that. I use Borden's Condensed
Milk. Day before yesterday Mr. Mitchell bought a paper of corn starch and the
colonel's cook made him a fine corn-starch pudding. What do you think of that man!
But after all "our life" is not meat and drink, but I trust ever and more
in "to do the will of Him who sent us." Yet I know my own life is not what
it should be, + this gives me trouble.
Ill health has compelled Col. Duryee to resign. His resignation was accepted two or

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three days ago and I believe he starts for the north nto day. His loss is a serious
misfortune to the regiment. We have no other officers at all fit to succeed him
in command. Col. Meeker's knee is not yet well enough to allow him to
resume active duty, + the Major retains the command for the present.
This campaign is a destructive one to an officer + in unusual proportion I
think, though the loss in the ranks is not slight.
Will you send us a few papers of Tully powder? I know my liability to weakness
+ derangement in hot weather + think that after all it could be well to have
in my pocket an "ounce (or less) of prevention."
Others are sick occasionally + there is the no reason to expect tha even one of
my short frame should be always + totally exempt.
How are aunt Juliette's [unclear] + flowerbeds this summer? I can imagine
her tenderly nursing hausplanting + watering Pansies + Pricks this warm June day. 
Grandma bring in a pictcher full green weeds "too pretty to throw away" + that yet

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are too vile to grace the flower borders. Grandpa grows eloquent over
strawberry stamens [unclear], will persist in hoeing even as his back aches
+ then walks into the house just in time to recall the distracting fact that
he has lost his cane. [unclear ] is rather a doubtful individual. I hardly know
whether to place him in Stockbridge in his garden or at the end of a firepole.
But wherever you are + whatever doing, I can see you all this morning "as plain as day."
The air is so clear + soft since the smoke and powder smell
have cleared away. The living are back to the "tented field," a great cornfield 
sloping off to the river + dotted with green shoots. but it is hardening fast
under the tread of an army + heat of the sun to a cavern of dead loam clay,
here and there a "nameless grave," + new mound of earth heaped up yesterday,
to day, each day, perhaps, of the week that have elapsed since we came here
I saw a small force of young negroes "playing at war" on one of them yesterday morning.
The grave was "Richmond" and the little black rascals would pursuit Lee in turn, while
"Gen. Grant" in the form of another woolly head, "licked him." Every victory was followed by a shout
of "de Union for ever." Your aff. Cornelius

ALS