Camp of 40^th Reg't N.Y.V.

N^r Potomac Creek May 18^th 1863

 

My Dear Father

                                    I received your letter of the 8^th inst and glad we were I assure you to hear from you. I wrote one also to you the same date, which you have no doubt have received long ere this. We moved Camp on the 15^th inst and have joined the 3^rd Brigade of the same division. We now occupy a very good encamping ground, as it is on the top of a high hill, along the Potomac Creek and commands a splendid view of the surrounding country. And when there is any wind stirring we get it if anyone feels it. And the scenery from our position is picturesque in the extreme. Oh, how I wish many of you could but for a moment enjoy the sight. Hills and valeys litterally alive with men and beautifully covered with the white shelter tents. And on the opposite banks of the creek is vast number of Hospital tents where lie numbers of the wounded of the late campaign on the Rappahannock. Beneath those white enclosures who can measure the amount of suffering. I was over there day before yesterday and the sights were most sickening, but it is no more than we have often witnessed. But there are scenes to which we cannot become hardened to. Among the number was our Captain. 

 

Wilson and myself are in the best of health, and we feel truly grateful for the preserving care that saved us from harm during the late campaign. Although our Corps stood the brunt of the fight on the right of our Army, yet our Reg't was very fortunate, only losing about sixty men and not getting in the worst of the musketry fire. Our most hazardous job was leading the charge on Saturday night at midnight, when we went right up to the rebel lines not fifteen yards from them when they opened fire upon us. Our orders was not to fire, and hence our repulse after charging up the third time. It was at that time that Gen Jackson was wounded and I believe by some of our men who fired their Rifles notwithstanding orders to the contrary.

 

We have now very hot weather, and I fear there will be a great deal of sickness in the Army this summer. Everything looks like summer again.

 

Your suggestion of a furlough does very well as a suggestion, but it is not very practicable, for in our Corps Gen Sickles has stoped all furloughs, in fact I know the Sixth Army Corps is. The 29^th Reg't N.J. Vol. belongs to the first Army Corps and I beleive was not engaged at the last Battle. I shall make an effort to visit them in a few days as they only lie about / three miles from our Camp. A number of the two years and nine months men have gone home.

 

I would very much enjoy a visit home, especially if Wilson and myself could both come home together, but that would be impossible as two could not go from one Company at once. There have been two in our Company who have had furloughs, and others promised, but Eighty Seventh men are the last to get them especially in our Company. When our three years is up, if we are living, you may then look for us.

I am glad that the Sunday School at Centreville is again open I do hope that much good will be done through its instrumentality. I received a letter from Brother Lawson of Perth Amboy a few days since saying that he was getting along well and that he was expecting to exchange with Brother Graves. I glad to hear of his success. But I must close to get ready for drill Accept of much of my love. Tell Mother to keep up a good heart we wil be home one of these days.

 

Remember us kindly to all our friends.

 

                                                                        Your Son

                                                                                    Jonathan Sproul

                                                                                    Co C. 40^th Reg't. N.Y.V.

                                                                                    Birneys Division

                                                                                                Washington D.C.

SOURCES