Camp near Sandy Hook

July 17^th 1863

After taps

 

My Dear Friend

                        I squat here at the foot of "Maryland Heights" with the stump of a candle and a few minutes leisure, both of which I have resolved to consume while writing these few lines to let you know of my bearings &c

 

            It is somewhat singular that last summers campaign and this one should terminate at this place and nearly under the same circumstances.

 

            Lee went a little farther for his whipping this time than he did last year. Our corps is here. the whole army appears to be moving this way I suppose / with the intention of crossing the river. we rejoined our trains here to day I changed cloths for the first time in over three weeks you cant imagine how good I feel after changing from my old shell to the new one and taking a good souse in Potomac.

 

            The Army is greatly elated over its late success and the news of others throughout the country. Some dissatisfaction prevails about the escape of Lee. I think Lee was well prepared to give battle except during about 8 or 10 hours after he had broken his lines with the intention of crossing. And it was hard for Meade to hit at the right time. About midnight on the night Lee crossed I was awake and sat watching / the light of his camps which flared up several times as though they were burning ammunition finally the lights died out entirely I thought then that they were leaving and the morning revealed the fact. we were somewhat disappointed but it may have been for the best.

 

            I congratulate "Gotham" on being at last brought to her senses her decent citizens can now see the result of their negligence in letting the rabble have it their own way for years I have often said it would come to a vigilance committee or a big fight they have let Fernando & Co sow the seed now they can reap the crop. the "let alone" policy which allowed the Copperheads at the Vallandingham meeting to wag their filthy tongues and spit their / poison was encouragement to these fiends who are at work now. this is to New York what a dose of chloride of lime is to a stinking gutter. now is the time for the people to make a thorough job of it. the scum is now all at the top, let it be carefully skimmed off and New York will appear in as great contrast to her former self as the Central Park does to the scenes and aspects which presented themselves, disgusting to the very sense on its present site

 

            I think that New York copperheadism has worked its own destruction.  I am glad of it and to see that and confed. stock going down together King Horatio and King Jeff can go down hand in hand to the domain of the first secessionist on which there is no blockade and where brimstone and not cotton is King

                                                           

Yours James Clarke

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