Co E. 1^st Reg^t Sickles Brigade

Camp near Bottoms Bridge.

May 26^th 1862.

 

Dear Sister.

                        I recieved your very welcome letter of the 19^th inst. last evening. I eagerly devourd the contents as it was the first word I have recieved from Pitt since you have had news of the battle. I was anxious to hear from Lydia. when I found the Cap^t to be really dead my first thoughts were of his wife. they lived togather so peacible, united, and happy. when Lydia paid us a / visit in Camp Farnham, I saw how fully the Cap^t was wrapt up in his wife and children, and also Lydias respect for Jake. But the Cap^t is gone, and not a member of Co but bowed his head in sorrow. the Cap^t was loved by us. the time we were at "good hope" he had became very much out of favor on account of his long stay in Pitts, but since that, he had steadily gained upon the affections of the boys, and onley since his death has the true feeling for him sowed it's self. He told me at Camp Farnham that he would resign "but for one thing, the people would say, the Dambd Duchman is a Coward" which was the truth. While before Yorktown, he said he was going to resign, as soon as the / Battle of Yorktown was fought, or if General M^cClellan sufferd the Rebels to run away, to retreat from Yorktown, that he would resign, he would follow the army no farther. But he is beyond resigning now, his term of soldiering is over, and well may you say that the stigma of coward is forever blotted from his name. I hope you went to his funeral. I see in the Pittsburgh papers that he was burried with Military honors. We are now south east of Richmond, distant fourteen miles, about half way between the Chicahominy and James River, on the lower edge of the White Oak swamp the place where the Rebels was going to make a desperate stand, but didn't. My arm is getting along finely. it gives me no pain at all / I am unable to drill in the manuel of arms yet, but in case of a battle, I shall force it to do its duty. I have written Mother one letter since the Williamsburg fight and will write to her again in a few days. I wrote to you, about a week ago, I suppose you have recieved it by this time. Gen^l Sickles has been re-instated, and is now in command of the Excelsior. My love to yourself and all the rest. Kiss Harry for me.

                                   

Your Brother,

Sam W Croft.

Co E, 1^st Reg^t Sickles Brigade

Hookers Division

Washington DC

 

P.S. Please take care of this list for me.

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