87^th Regiment N.Y.S.V.

                                                                                                            July 10^th 1862

 

My Dear Bro. James

                                                I received your Letter a few days since enclosing those Postage stamps and I can assure you I was right glad to hear from you We are really worn out with fatigue and exposure. Since the 25^th of June and up to the fourth of July we had scarcely no rest, and even a long while previous we were called out night and day fearing an attact, but on the 25^th we were ordered out to open an attack or rather make an attack. It was a hard days work and the ground was hotly contested but inspite of al we extended out our picket line. on the 26^th and 27^th fighting was very heavy upon the right and we were kept marching night and day reinforcing this division and them that [ink blot] in fact reinforcing now, but marching back and forth along / the lines the men were completely exhausted Sunday June 29^th we received orders to evacuate our works in front of Richmond, And Lo! Kearneys Division, The Division that had been always in advance from the time we had left fortress Monroe, the Division that turned the tide of Battle in our favor at Williamsburgh, The Division that bore the blunt of the Battle at Fair Oaks and had stood upon their arms night and day and doing Picket and fatigue duty ever since their stay in front of Richmond, Must now act as rear Gaurd while they are falling Back. I do not wonder at the men murmuring, for they are too much worn out to be of much service. As they fell back th men got scattered most wonderfully, as the impression prevailed that those ahead were in least danger. Our Lieut in command catched the “skedadle fever” and I was left again in command of the company Monday Sunday night found us across the White Oake swamp and glad enough we were to lie down and sleep. Morning / came we commenced our march again and ere we had gone far our Regiment was ordered back to destroy the Bridges across the swamp. I tell you it was a severe trial for us. we had got nearly threw the swamp when by mere accident we learnt that a large force of Rebel Cavalry was just ahead of us. We hastened back to the first Bridge we came to and one half the men set to work to destroy the Bridge and the other half gaurd them. After througing and tearing to pieces had been accomplished we set fire to it to burn up as much of th timber as possible. we come back and served the next bridge in pretty much the same way after which we retired back a space and quietly took our position behind some logs and waited the appearance of the Rebels, but after waiting about three hours they did not make their appearance we went farther back fearing the rebels would get in behind us and cut of our retreat we had not been gone long before word came The Enemy’s advancing. / we went back toward our old post and found the enemy refixing the Bridges we deployed out as skirmishers and after a little determination on our part had shown itself they took to their heels.

 

I had but one man wounded in my Company. We remained on picket their during the day. at night we recommenced our march, but soon found we could not go far for we had been cut off but long before Morning we were again on the march so that at sunrise we were in sight of the grand Army of the Potomac. We felt relieved as we moved among so large number of men, and beside we were now in the open field if the enemy wanted to attact us let them do it here and we would show them Dixie.

 

We changed our position several times ere we were reviewed by G. B. M^cClellan and about ten O’clock we were taken out again in line of Battle. Surely might we ask without receiving the stigma of coward, is there no rest? The sight was grand in the extreme to see the position of our troops. But we were not permitted long to gaze in admiration at the splendid prospect before us, for / In the afternoon a heavy battle ragged and a large body of men were engaged Our Regiment were one of the first to make a charge. We drove the emeny at every point although they came with large numbers. The sight was a fearful one I never wish to see another.

 

darkness closed the fight, everything was in our favor. before morning down we were on the march again to where we are now encamped, which is called Harrison Landing on the James River. I have just read over what I have written you will surely say a disconsolate Letter. The fact of the Bussiness is  I have been about half sick since the day of the last fight, and if I had been home I should have been the other half too. but out here I dares’nt be sick. I am getting all right again however all I want is a few days rest. Wilson stood it rather better than I did but still he is considerable worn out. By the By, Wilson was promoted to Color / Corporal on Monday June 30^th and has bravely stood by the Flag ever since.

 

Dear Jim, soldiering in my provate opinion is about played out. Some fellows think the rebels wont fight. I wish they wuld come down this way and try them. For my part I am satisfied for I have seen them fight even to desperation. War is Bad business. And yet if we were not soldiers we would not have any fun. We are going to have jolly times now. We go in bathing every day in a very large pond not far from where we are encamped. We returned from picket yesterday morning. I wish James you could make us a visit and see how we live. I am sure you would laugh. You saw us at Camp Wyman, that was like a paradise to what we now have. But never mind, Uncle sam is going to have three hundred thousand more men and when they come we will talk to them in earnest.

 

We found Lieut. Ammerman all “right / side up” last Thursday July 3^rd, He having been absent since Sunday previous.

 

There was quite a number we saw fall down from over heating themselves. some droped dead the day we left our works in front of Richmond.

 

We received some days since two newspapers from home the N.J. Standard & N.Y. Chronicle I am glad you sent those postage stamps It relieves me considerably when writting especially abroad.

 

Our Love to all our friends, not forgetting yourself. I am glad you are getting along so well in your business. That Lieut that called to see you with a message from myself went from your place to his home and died from Typhoid Fever. His Brother is at annapolis Md. Wounded

 

Write when you can. Excuse this scribling

 

                                                            Your Affectionate Brother

Gen Robinson has had                                                Jonathan Sproul

charge of our Brigade                                                 Co. C. 87^th Regt. N.Y.S.V.

for some time back                                                     Kearneys Division

on account of                                                                          Heintzlemans Corps

Gen Jameson                                                                                      Washington D.C.

being sick

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