Camp James River, July 12, 1862.
My dear sister:
Everything remains very much as when I last wrote. No
reinforcements have arrived since. The enemy have withdrawn and returned to the
vicinity of Richmond. What our future movements are to be is quite uncertain.
The President rode through the camps when here, and expressed himself pleased
and disappointed in the appearance of the troops. He had supposed that we were
all desponding, when he found every one joyful. General McClellan paid me and
my division a high compliment in presenting us to the President. I believe he
has recommended me for a Brevet Brigadier in the regular army. I know General
Sumner has. I would value this more than a Brigadier of Volunteers.
Write often. Have you purchased the Treasury notes and have
you paid off all our debts? I hope so, and have something left to keep the
machine running. You must not break in upon what we have salted away. I believe
I wrote you that I lost my old horse in one of the actions. My servant, who has
been with me as long as the horse, had gone on, and I did not see him for two
days. When I told him about Tom, he cried like a child, and said, “Bless God,
General, I am glad they did not get you. Next to old Tom” (the horse), “I had
rather see you safe than any man living.” I owe him about one hundred dollars.
With much love to all,
I am, very
affectionately,
J. S.
SOURCES: George William Curtis, Correspondence of
John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 74-5
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