Camp of 40^th Reg’t. N.Y.Vol.

                                                                                    Sulphur Springs Va. Aug 8^th 1863

 

            My Dear Father

                                                Your letter of the 4^th inst. came to hand this morning and right glad we were to hear from you and to learn that you were all well. And Thank God Wilson and myself are enjoying like blessings. The young man you speak of from our Company is one of a detail to bring on Drafted men. I gave him your address and wished him to make you a visit which he will do if he has time. He is a fine young man and a good soldier, and I think you will be interested in him. He tents when he is here with Wilson and myself. The Lieutenant Commanding our Company is also there his name is William H. Warner, and also one of my former Commandants and a very fine Officer Captain James B. Stephens, they are both very good friends of mine. The young mans name refered to is William Hamilton.

 

I see you have company this summer I hope it makes things far more pleasant and less lonelyly than they would be otherwise. The Releif Money you speak of was given out when we first came out but only to dependant families that lived in New York. it was afterwards stoped and since which time many have been unable to draw it, the reason of which I am / unable to learn, and some of the families really need it and suffer for the want of it. There are some few however that have commenced recently to draw a releif  but their families are in N. York. If you see W. Hamilton I wish you would mention the matter to him and have him get a required certificate from Lt. Warner for himself and have his Mother draw it, for if any one should get it, she should. And if he is successful I think you might if not in your own or Mothers name you might through Catharine and Caroline’s name who reside in New York. And I will send you the required certificates as soon as Lt. Warner returns if there is any prospect of getting the same. If you see Lt. Warner you might get the certificates from him. As long as the money is to be got there is no reason why you should not have it as well as anyone. I have seen through some papers that have been sent us that the 48^th N.Y.V. had been hotly engaged at Charleston but did not learn of any of the casualities of the Keyport Boys until we received your letter. We feel sad on account of the fate of some, and rejoice at the fortune of others. But those that suffer could not do so in a better cause. You will remember that that was the Reg’t. that I intended to enlist in at first and should have done so only I happened to be a few hours too late. We have thought all along that they had / quite a soft thing of it. But who knows yet that there has not been a hand of Providence in it that we are not with them. Although we have been through so many Battles I cannot say I wish myself at Charleston. We are getting somewhat of rest now at this place and we can drink as much Sulphur water as we choose. You will remember that this is the great Southern resort of the Arristocrats at this season of the year. They had things fixed up in grand style. But everything is a ruin now, as the place was burned I believe when Seigle made one of his famous retreats here as it is here he caught them in one of his traps about a year ago. Some of the dead are buried not fifty yards from our Camp. We Picket along the Rappahannock River and whilst on Picket the other day I came near being drowned, and Thanks to a very Merciful Providence I was saved Another Friend and myself went in the River for a wash and a swim, and neither of us could swim worth a continental and had never been in water over our heads, but we took it in our heads that we could swim anyhow so it was proposed that we should cross the River, and I was to go first, so I accordingly pitched in and got along very well until a little over half way when I looked round and found myself quite a distance from either side and I commenced to feel tired, and to become anxious, and my / anxiety led to fear, and then my limbs refused to move and there I was in a river helpless water eight feet deep and the currant very strong and knowing that the one that was in with me and was waiting to see how I made out could not swim any better than I could I considered myself as good as gone. but just as I went down I sung out for help and the next time I got up to look around I saw one of my chums half way across the stream after me with all his things on including his belt and Bayonet. Our post was upon the high hill by the side of the river but thick woods obscured the river from view. as soon as they heard my cry they rushed to my rescue and it was not two seconds scarcely before this one was in the River after me. His name is James G. Serjeant of Lumberland, Sullivan Co. N.Y. A very fine man, you have probably heard me speak of him before. Garret will remember him as he left an oil cloth satchel with him when we left N.Y. He is as good a soldier as he is a swimmer, and as fine a gentleman. The same day there was one man drowned that belonged to Co E. and two men that came near being drowned belonging to Co D. of this Rg’t. Oh, how good the hand that saves in the hour of danger. But I must close. Accept of our best love and Kindest wishes for you all.

 

                                                                        Your Son

                                                                                    Jonathan Sproul

                                                            Co. C 40^th Regt. N.Y.V. 1^st Division 3^rd Army Corps

                                                                                                            Washington D.C.

 

[inside lower margin upside down]

On the sixth day of June last I sent you some letters written by Officers of the 87^th Regt, have you received them? I wish you would tell me in your next, as I have not heard whether they went safe or not.

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