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.
General Abercrombie said to General Sickles that he regretted to leave such a brave command, but he was pleased the General had been restored to those who were evidently so much attached to him. General Sickles, on his way to join the brigade, slept at the house of a Dr. Crump, where President Davis and Generals Johnston and Lee had passed the night during their retreat. He slept in the same bed that Johnston had occupied. Previous to assuming command of the brigade General Sickles reported to General McClellan, who received him with great warmth, as did also his staff.
General Sickles’ staff will be the same as formerly. Adjutant General,O. H. Hart; Aids, Lieutenant Palmer and lieutenant Laurier; Brigade Quartermaster, John Austin; Brigade Commissary, —— Steele, who replaces Captain Remick, resigned, and Dr. Owen as Brigade Surgeon, in the place of Dr. Sims, now Medical Director of the division. General Abercrombie is assigned another command.
The New York Herald, New York, NY