City Point, July 21st, 1864.
I have been sick with some form of fever for a few days past—just how many days, I have actually forgotten. I did not go to the hospital—Mr. Williams would not consent to that—as I could have good medical treatment and better care where I am. Yesterday I began to mend; today am feeling quite well, only rather weak. While I was sick the boys had things their own way, and a fearful way it was— nearly as bad as at first. Today I am sitting, or lying, where I can see the work is properly done and things “put to rights.” I saw Colonel Luce today. He tells me we—the Seventeenth—are going home in August to recruit, under the President’s last call. Good news, if true, but it fails to call up any enthusiasm on my part. “A burned child dreads the fire.” Possibly it may be true. The regiment has done no field duty since Spottsylvania, and has been changed to Engineers and Mechanics; besides, it is General Wilcox’s pet regiment. I am trying hard to make myself believe it. I do, almost. Soon as I am strong enough, I am promised a horseback ride to the regiment. There, if the above report is not generally believed, I will try and get a furlough. We have had one rainy day, and the weather is delightfully cool.
