Camp Advance Spring Hill

March 15^th 1862

 

Dear Brother James

                                                                                                                        Your letter has just arrived which reminded me very much of my negligence in writing to you, and the rest of the folks but the fact is we have been in such circumstances that we expected hourly orders to move somewhere and were waiting for them so that we might have something definate to communicate. A few evenings since after we returned we were ordered to have our knapsacks packed, and our other things packed in a bundle to be left in Camp. As we expected orders to move before morning, I accordingly obeyed the order, and had the men all up to be ready for a march. I can tell you there was somewhat of excitement in Camp. I got ready immediately my own and wilsons things / and set me down to write you a few lines to let you know the facts. I had no more than got my letter dated, than the Officer of the day came round and cried out “Lights out” I had to abandon pen and paper and return to my bed. I went to sleep and slept sound till morning, but we had received orders only to hold ourselves in readiness. But it is now definitely known that we shall join a fleet that is now off Alexandria. But the destination of the fleet is not known by us. It is reported here that there are some sixty thousand men going on this fleet. I think its destination will not be far from Richmond. We should have been off before now but the boats are not ready to receive us. our baggage left last night. we expect to go hourly. It makes time very tedious / to be waiting so without knowing when nor where we are going. We are all anxious to go. I wrote yesterday morning to Garret, and last night to Father. Wilson wrote this morning to you, and I write tonight. We have received our new tents, which we are to carry on our backs in our knapsacks. they consist of two rubber Blankets with strings to tie together and form the shape of the ones we occupy except that there is no front or rear to them they are made merely to shed rain. we allso have one to lie upon the ends are open. we call them a “Big thing” But whats the odds we are going to take richmond.

 

We may be off before morning and then we may be here till tuesday next week. Oh this suspense it is worse than fighting. We are now living on Hard Bread. the boys say it is pretty tough. If you should / not receive letters from us as often as you would wish you must not think it strange. If you hear from us directly soon after we have landed you will be luckey. One of our boys has just received tonight a letter from his brother who went on the Burnside Expedition. he supposed him to be killed as he did not hear from him. the letter was written on the 3^rd of March. So do not be over anxious. We will turn “right side up with care” if not it will be all right. When you see any of our folks from the country, tell them to kiss the new relation for me, and send Rachel my love. Our love to all our folks. M^r Simonson, and Pitcher are well and in good spirrits I will write again soon if practicable Direct your letters as usual, except mention Heintzleman’s Division. Anything directed to the regiment always follows it up. It is raining very hard tonight we are glad to have our tents to sleep in this weather, we shall soon leave them standing. Good Night, and Good Bye. Your Affectionate Brother

                                                                        Jonathan Sproul

 

[margins]

You must excuse soldiers letter as we forgot our stamps an sent them with our baggage and it is impossible to buy them in camp

 

We received yours and Kates letters all right

 

We will get some likenesses in Alexandria if we get an opportunity

 

I hope sister Rachel will be better soon.

 

Much love to Sarah tell her I have not forgotten her if I do not write.

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