Jonathan Sproul enlisted in Brooklyn at the age of 21 on Oct. 2, 1861, and was mustered into Co. C of the 87th New York Infantry. He was transferred on Sept. 6, 1862 to Co. C Mozart Regiment of the 40th N.Y. Infantry, and promoted to Sergeant on July 16, 1863. Wounded at Kelly’s Ford on Nov. 7, 1863, he had his leg amputated in a field hospital. Transferred to a Washington, D.C. hospital shortly thereafter, he nonetheless died of his wound on Dec. 7, 1863.
This letter was once part of much larger collection of Sproul’s letters, one of which was written on the Battle of Gettysburg on 5 July 1863. It read in part: “Again are we permitted to record the goodness of a very kind Providence for the sparing of our lives and protection from harm during the last few terrible days. But thanks be to God the fight is thus far ours and we have driven the enemy at all points. As in times past, so have we been spared by a Merciful hand which we fail to interpret the reason why. God is gracious and we are grateful…We have had one of the biggest fights of the war, and the loss in our Regiment is about one hundred and fifty…I never went into a fight with a better heart, not felt better during any engagement than I have the last few days. I guess the rebels find it quite a different thing fighting in Pennsylvania than in Virginia. What this week will tell I am unable to say, but I reckon they will get out of this right-smart. This is a splendid place to fight in as we have so much open field. And we have had for once a square open field fight…I promise we shall see much more fight this afternoon or tomorrow. If the rebels make a stand we will fight them, they have left our front and there is some firing a few miles distance which is proof that if they are taking out we are after them. God is our Refuge…“
The letter transcribed on Spared & Shared was penned on 17 January 1862 from Camp Casey where the regiment was spending its first winter in the field. The location of this camp is thought to have been within the red box marked on the map below. [Source: Camp Casey] He wrote the letter to his sister Kate. The University of Virginia has a couple of Jonathan’s letters written during the Peninsula Campaign.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Camp Casey
Washington
January 17, 1862
Dear sister Kate,
If you are having as jolly ties as Wilson and I just about now, I am sure you are doing pretty well for just imagine for a moment we live in our own house and all alone by ourselves, by our own fireside, and table, plentifully spread by two large boxes of good things. Why a king is not so happy as we are just about now with all the nice things plenty—cake, chickens, pies, buts, raisins, honey, apples, oranges, &c., &c. Why who would not enjoy themselves with so many things.
We have just as much company as we want, so much so that business has to be suspended and we have to post up on our door, “No admittance except on business.” But we have plenty of time for those nice little visitors that come in envelope form, who are the flying messengers from the loved ones at home. We hail each with a welcome that is most hearty. We thank you very much for the cake you sent. I tell you, it come nice for we have not had anything like it since we left. The box that came from home and Garret sent came yesterday and the one James sent came on Tuesday. I tell you it was a like a rainbow in a snowstorm. We have not been suffering for want of enough to eat so much as the kind we eat—it is too much salt meat to suit dainty appetites. So the presents were like a drop of water to a thirsty man in a desert place.
Your letter was received in due season and I was right glad to hear from you. Hope you will write again soon. I was sorry to hear of a contingency between Thorn Anderson and his sister but hope it is all emicably settled by this time. At all events, you must let me know “pertickalers” as S. A. would say.
We are having splendid times just about now as we have snow, rain, ice, and mud and no very extreme drills. Day times it is a perfect slush all over camp and out of camp. The top of the ground thaws in the sun and makes it quite slippery. Just imagine a side of a hill that is clay in the above condition with hundreds of men trampling in it all the time. It makes mud in and mud out, and mud all over. But we are satisfied and would be glad if it rained a whole week for when it rains, we can sit in our tents and so what we like. Oh how nice it is to sit around our little stove and crack nuts and eat the nice things—especially evenings, just as composed as you in your parlor.
I have just received a paper from James a package of thirteen papers from someone else. I guess from Miss Libbie Brown but I am not sure. If you will, please thank her for me as they are just in time this muddy weather we want something to read and tonight whilst I am writing, I find them very nice to keep the boys quiet so that I can write peaceably.
We are expecting important orders soon. The general impression all around here is that there is some grand movement on foot that is soon to develop itself. The paymaster has not come yet. Our captain has been sick for a week past and has done no duty but is getting better now. I was down town today on business for the captain and took the occasion to visit the Patent Building. I should like to spend about three days in it so that I could see everything in the building.
I received a letter from Garret which I will answer soon. Also two or three from home. My love to all friends and especially to yourself. Wilson 1 sends love. Yours hastily and affectionately, — Jonathan
1 Sproul’s brother Wilson, mentioned in this letter, enlisted at the same time as his brother at the age of 19, and was also transferred to the 40th N. Y. Infy. Surviving the war, he was mustered out on Oct. 6, 1864, and died at age 62.
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