Fair Oaks 87^th Regt. N.Y.S.V.

June 14^th 1862

 

My Dear Bro. James

                                    Your long expected letter has not yet made its appearance, but I am fondly living in hopes that it is still on its way, and ere long at some unexpected moment, its safe arrival will be made known much to the joy of thy brothers in arms. We are now encamped just in the rear of the Battlefield to the left of the Richmond Rail Road where we fought with such desperate vigor. we have been since the Battle encamped on the right of the R.R. until within two or three days. My time for correspondence is quite limited as since the battle we have been deficient in officers. Our Captain is supposed to be wounded and taken prisoner, together with Colonel Dodge. Our Lieutenant was taken sick last sunday and went to the Hospital he has not yet returned. I have had command of the Company since he has been away. There is not the opportunities for promotion that one might suppose. The Captaincy must be kept vacant until Capt. Baker is heard from, 1^st Lieut. Amerman is sick and hence his posish must be reserved for him, the second Lieutenancy has been vacant for some time but that will be disposed of by putting an individual not entitled in the least to any consideration in the line of promotion. But he obtains it by using the machinery of "Red tape" and "Military humbug" and doing the mean things of those in authority, and not by acts of bravery or the show of military talent. I am now doing the work of Captain 1^st & 2^nd Lieutenant, Orderly, and second sergeant, and all on sergeants pay. Who would not be a soldier. Our Orderly was wounded in the last Battle. We lost ten from our Company at the last Battle / Corporal J. Simonson has been sick for some time and in the Hospital. I have not seen him in a good while, he was not present at the fight at Fair Oaks. Corporal Rufas was in the fight and came out uninjured, he is still with his company, although complaining some of camp disentary. he asks about you occasionally I receive letters regularly from father, and get by that means pretty much all the news. I learn through him that you are doing pretty well in your business. I have not received a letter from you for over a month. Wilson sent a letter to you some days since. I wish sometime you find it convenient you would send me a dollar in postage stamps I feel ashamed to send letters without stamp. I always think it mean, and it is impossible to find them any where out in this direction. And consequently I have not written any letter to anyone save those at home and yourself.

 

I have felt quite anxious in regard to the sixty dollars I sent per Lieut. Cloyd to your self. I hope it arrived all safe and sound. At all events I take it for granted that it was is all right until I hear differently. It was sent over a month since. We get the mail in two days after it has started. Dear Jim, we are having bully times out here just now, sun hot enough to roast an egg in the sand. We have the heat but we are minus the eggs. We live principally on hard crackers. We keep three days rations on hand in our haversack. We expect a battle almost hourly. I must close. My love to all friends Wilson sends his love to you. We are well. Write soon                

 

Your Affectionate Brother

Jonathan Sproul

Company C 87^th Regt. N.Y.V.

Kearneys Division, Heintzelmans Corps

Washington D.C.

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