The following letter was written by Pvt. Jacob Hair who enlisted in Co. I, 209th Pennsylvania Infantry on 29 August 1864 and was discharged from the service on 11 July 1865. His name was sometimes recorded as Harr on the muster rolls. While at Bermuda Hundred, the regiment was attached to the Ninth Army Corps, 1st Brigade, Third Division.
[Note: Images of this letter were provided to me for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by Jeff Hilsmeier who owns the original.]
Transcription
Bermuda Hundred, Va.
October 4, 1864
Dear Brother,
I seat myself to inform you that I am well at present hoping that you enjoy the same blessing. I will now inform you that I am away down in Virginia in the army playing soldier. The place that I am is called Bermuda Hundred. It is only about three miles from Petersburg and about eight miles from Richmond and our army had a heavy fight towards Richmond. We could see them fighting from our camp but what the result is, we don’t know. 1 They also fought towards Petersburg but we have not heard from there yet [either].
Last Friday I was out on picket. I could see that the rebs retreated back toward Richmond. I was out on picket twice and took it well. We are well fortified here. We are only about 25 steps from our rifle pits and the rebs’ fortifications are only about half a mile from ours. Our pickets and the rebs’ pickets are only about 30 steps apart. We still invite the over. There are a great many that comes over every night—some nights as high as 6 to 8, and there would be a great deal more come if they darst but they are watched too close. I hope that the time will soon come that they would all come over into the Union.
On last Saturday night when I was out on picket, I heard a reb say that he believes that the damned Yankees would whip them out before a month was around.
I have not heard from home since I left home. I am looking for a letter every day. I want you to give my love to all my friends and tell them to write to me. I am your affectionate brother, — Jacob Hair
Write as soon as you get this letter. Direct to Mr. Jacob Hair, Co. I, 209th Regt. Penn. Vols. in care of Capt. [John] Klugh 2
1 The battle Jacob refers to was the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm fought on 29-30 September 1864 in which Butler’s Army of the James successfully assaulted and captured Fort Harrison which they later renamed Fort Burnham. The loss of this fort caused the Confederates to have to withdraw their lines of defense between Richmond and Petersburg.
2 Capt. John Klugh was wounded at Fort Steadman, Virginia, on 25 March 1865 and was discharged from the service on 10 May 1865.
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