Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to sister Anna
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.051 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Petersburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 May 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Reports that the company landed at City Point on the evening of 5 May and started towards Petersburg early the next day. There was some fighting between Confederate and Union forces consisting of 9th New Jersey and 27th Massachusetts. The following day Confederate forces attacked Painter's picket during the night of which all but eleven were killed and wounded. The soldiers were once again met with battle on Monday the 9 May. The following morning they advanced to the Petersburg and Richmond railroad of which they tore up a large part; fighting resumed and positions were held until 6 pm that day. Reports that up to now, there have been 300 killed and wounded in the Corps. Describes Union boats on the Appomattox River, one of which was grounded and the other blown up. Reports that Colonel Martin has been arrested. Asks his sister to forward his letter to others, as this is the only piece of paper he has.
Before joining the service, Painter was a trained printer from Danville, Pennsylvania. He was mustered as a private into F Company of the 58th Pennsylvania infantry on 8 October 1861 and transferred to I Company on 1 March 1862. While in I Company, he was promoted to Sergeant and eventually mustered out on 21 January 1866 as First Lieutenant. Painter also held a post as Quartermaster's clerk, and performed freedman duties shortly after the war ended.
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