Headquarters 8th C.V. Near Petersburg va July 7th 1864 Dear Sister

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I now take this opertunity to answer your letter that I received to day and was glad to hear that you and the rest of the folks are well my health is good Since I rote you last we have been moving some we went to the White Hous from there to coal harbor staid there 12 days then returned to Bermuda Hundred then we took a trip in the directions of Petersburg Carried their strongest works and could of took the city and hights beyond and held them and it was so planed by Gen Smith but Gen Hancock came up

and being senior officer took comand and would not move and now they have got it so strongly fortified that it is all mose impossible to take it.

I saw D Durand at coal harbor he was well he gave me 2 photosgraphs and wanted me to send one of them to you or Almira so I guess I will send it to Almira as you have got one you are mistaken about his having a officers badge on his sholders or an officers coat them are what they call scales and are worn by privates and not by officers when a Regt are doing guard duty and the officers want them to look fancy they get them for the men most all of the Negro troops have them but when they get into the field they throw them away.

I saw H.H. Barton 4 days ago He was well then I will send you some money to keep for me if you will I shall not want it untill next June and if I should not come back you can give part of it to Almira and keep the rest your self I think one stands a slim chance to pass through this campain but we can not be all killed I can not think of any thing to rite write soon as conveneant from your affectionate Brother

L.A. Barton Co K
8th CV 18 AC
via Ft Monroe

M M Barton