This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt: ... LETTER SEVENTH. In Chesterfield--The 2d Section goes to Richmond--Camping around--Point of Rocks--Battle of Seven Pines--All quiet on the burly Appomattox--Note. Point Of Rocks, Va., June 4, 1862. My Dear Friend: --Well, here we are, that is to say, half of the Company is here. The 2d Section, including two guns and half of the men, in charge of Lieut. Hankins, has gone on to Richmond. The detail is only temporary, I suppose, and they are expected to return soon. After our march up here from Smithfield, we made a brief stay in Petersburg, camping in a pine grove in the western confines of the town, and then came over into Chesterfield county, where we have been moving around from place to place for some time. At the present writing, we occupy a place on the Appomattox river, six miles below Petersburg, at the point where Swift Creek flows into that river. It is a high and rocky bluff, rising up and overshadowing the main channel of the river, which, at this place, lies very near the shore. The position is naturally a very strong fortified, it would be for the Appomattox what Drewry's Bluff has so lately become for the James--a defence against which no warships of the present day could cope successfully. But there is nothing here in the line of defences. Not a spadeful of dirt has been turned for earthworks or redoubt, and I doubt if any are ever constructed here. The great preparations now going on before Kichmond will prevent any thought or notice of this place, although it lies naturally along the same line of defences as those of the James river. We are supposed to be here to dispute the advance of Federal vessels up the Appomattox, but, if this be the purpose, we ought to be supplied with far better guns than these we have at present...