August 14, 1864
. . . General Parke
got back from his sick leave and took command of the 9th Corps. He is a very
pleasant-looking man and liked apparently by everyone. He has been obliged
twice to return to the North by reason of malarial attacks, which is a pity, as
he acted usually as adviser to General Burnside and had an excellent effect on
him. He cured himself twice of malarial fever by accidentally taking an
overdose of medicine. The last time, he had been told to take one pill,
containing something very strong; but made a mistake and took four. After
which he was somewhat surprised to find his face making a great many
involuntary grimaces, and his body feeling uncommonly uncomfortable. However,
next day he was all well, and the doctor told him it was a good dose to take,
provided it did not unfortunately happen to kill him. Captain Fay took out the
cits to-day, in an ambulance, and showed them the lines. After which the youth
Falls was seized with a noble ambition to ride on horseback in company of
Captain Guzman. Being provided with a hard trotter, he came near tumbling off,
at the first start, and was obliged to change horses and perform the rest of
the journey at a mild pace.
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness
to Appomattox, p. 213-4
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