1862 Juy 15 Camp at White House, New Kent County

               Camp at White House, New Kent County
                              July 15th 1862
I have written you two or three notes from this place
my own darling wife.  We are still here guarding the stores
abandoned by the enemy when they retreated from this
place. I do not suppose any army ever went into the
field so well and so abundantly supplied as the army
led by Genl McClellan. Not only was the money of the
government lavishly expended to furnish an equip-
ment that would make the soldier comfortable & effective
but private charity had also poured a continuous stream
of kindness upon their sick & wounded.  Their transporta-
tion was most excellent; waggons, ambulances, & pontoon trains
of the finest description & in quantities that look to us
marvellous: besides these, the rail road was placed in good
order, and fine locomotives & cars were on them: Hay in
abundance was brought on their transports: portable forges
with large supplies of iron & steel, blacksmith and
carpenters tools of every description and circular
saws were all in their hands. Their commissariat abounded
in all that even luxury could ask: not only was there
pork & beef & beans & sugar & coffee & all the other articles
that go to make up the full ration of the soldier, but their
camps appear to have been stocked with preserved fruits
& vegetables, sardines, herrings, eggs, potatos, whiskey,
brandy, wines, also , porter, lemons, indeed all that the
palate cold desire.  Portable ovens as large as an
ordinary two horse waggon body were conveyed by
them from camp to camp.  their tents were of the
finest material & of most excellent construction.

[page 2]
In their hospitals were pleasant couches, mat-
tresses & pillows, sheets & pillow cases.  In
addition to what was furnished by the
Government & Sanitary Commission reg-
ularly organised sent on requisitions
of the Surgeons all that the sick and
wounded could need.  How much the
enemy carried off with them in their
retreat I cannot say:  but the
amount they destroyed & abandoned
was enormous: They burned a great
deal, but the amount left to us
is of great value to our govern-
ment.  The small arms they
burned were numerous.  I suppose
at this camp fifteen thousand.  It
must be some time, if ever, be-
fore Genl. MClellan can
have his army in the same

[page 3]
condition as before his late defeat.
  Pack the hams you have
purchased for me in a barrel
and send them to Richmond
directed to me to the care of
Wm. D. Gibbons.  I can make no
arrangements to receive chickens
or vegetables at present.
  I wish very much my darling
wife, I could be with you at this
time, but, of course, no furloughs
will be granted during the present
campaign.--The last letter I had
from you was dated the 5th  & 6th
In your postscript, dated the 6t, you
tell me of the bill of fare you wd
furnish if I could dine with
you.  It is very tempting,, but it
is to see you & our dear children, to
hold you to my heart, to kiss your

[page 4]
sweet lips, to hear your voice
to listen to you conversation
that I wish to visit our home.
    Give my warmest love to
Josie & ask her to kiss her little
girls for me.  I hope her visit
may be cheering to both of you.
Where is Crosby has he
recovered. The last time you
mentioned him your report
was that he was sick at
Petersburg.-
  My love to Mrs Riddle.  Kiss
our boys for me.  Remember
me to the servants.  I pray
daily, my darling, for blessings from
Our Heavenly Father on you all.
Farewell, dearest. I kiss you tenderly
& love you with intensest devotion
                       yr affec husband
                     John T. Thornton

John Thruston Thornton, a lawyer and University of Virginia alumnus, was captain of Co. K, 3rd Virginia Cavalry


MSS 4021