Letter from Rufus Dawes to Mary Dawes, July 7, 1864

Before Petersburg

July 7^th, 1864, 8 P. M.

We are back again in the woods, where we are exposed only to rebel shell, which occasionally come howling over.  There is a battery of thirty-two pounders, which fires directly over us, and that draws the enemy’s fire.  

I was detailed to-day by order of General Meade as President of the commission to investigate the ‘capacity, qualification, propriety of conduct and efficiency of such officers of the fifth army corps as may be brought before it.’  This is the highest honor of my military service.