Major Henry L. Abbott to Mr. & Mrs. Charles Cushing Paine, July 13, 1863 (Extract)

Near, Williamsport, Md., July 13, '63.

As an officer, he was generally considered fitter to command a company than one half of the old officers. The loss of your son and Ropes, considered merely as officers, is irreparable.

You have the full consolation of knowing that Sumner has kept up the glory of the name he bears, since no man could be more brave, capable and faithful in camp, or more devotedly courageous in the field.

SOURCE: Sarah Cushing Paine, Compiler and Charles Henry Pope, Editor, Paine Ancestry: The Family of Robert Treat Paine, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, p. 325