Excelsior Brigade,
Camp Four Miles Beyond Bottom’s Bridge;
May 28, 1862

After a fresh march, which brings us four miles beyond Bottom’s Bridge, I snatch a few leisure moments to let you know I am in good health and spirits, and that we are all looking forward with the greatest eagerness to the capture of Richmond. The country is beautiful, and becomes more and more captivating as we proceed into the heart of Virginia. Every house displays a flag of truce in the shape of a white handkerchief suspended over the gateway—the inhabitants, as a general thing having stuck to their plantations. The roads are very bad after the rains, which renders marching very fatiguing to the troops. On Friday, the 23d, in the afternoon, General Sickles made his appearance among us. As he approached the camp and was recognized he was lustily and heartily cheered by every regiment of the brigade. The cheerings were repeated for over half an hour, amid the enlivening music of the bands, and the wildest excitement prevailed. All the officers gathered around him and congratulated him on his return, and the General, in a few earnest and heartfelt words thanked them for the gallantry they had displayed at Wlliiamsburg, where they had saved the day. He had something kind to say of all the officers who fell in the struggle, and whose merits were to none better known than he himself.