James to Ballard

July 13, 1862

Valley of the Shenandoah

Mr. Ballard Dear Sir

I have now been in the field ever since the twenty fifth of May & during this time I have heard but very little from Springfield, thinking you would like to hear from me, & would probably answer my letter as promptly as anyone else I concluded I would give you an abbreviated detail of what has taken place Since I seen you last as you prophesiahed before I left Springfield in refferance to my prospects and high anticipations of attaining anything in the army remains as yet true though I am not yet dead in the shell, for its my determination to still try, & now I want to say that as Mr. Buttler was so ready to assist me when I called on him before it is probable he is still willing to do so and I think if he would try he could get Governor Yates to give me an appointment over the vollinteers he must need some deciplined men now at the rendezvous for the purpose of drilling the recruits & as he was willing to give me his signature as assistance in obtaining a Commission in the United States army I think he

would still be willing to assist me, & if you will speak to Mr. Buttler about it you will oblige your humble servant, I also wish when you answer this you would inform me of what Capt Joab Wilkinson is doing, & if you have an opportunity you might ask him if he fulfilled his promises wit me, which I will inform you he never did, for I am under another Captain altogether and one I consider his betters. I left Fort Hamilton on the 25th of May & have been in the field ever since. the first place we went into camp was at Harpers Ferry where we lay about ten days & while there Jackson thought to make an attack on us but was repulsed. since that time we have been on the move nearly all the time we marched up to the valley to Kernstown, then to Winchester then to Middletown, then two Ceader Creek, which is within three miles of Strasburg, we then returned to Middletown and took across the Country too [Front eagal?], then across the blue ridge chain of mountains into lura valley a distance of ten mls, then back into the Shenandoah Valley, and now I am on the side of a mountain near Warrentown my health in general way has been very good I have been under the weather at times with the blues but lately that is since the cherreys has got ripe an article which grows in in abundance here and of which he have fortaken very freely, has made times lately seem like home

& has removed despondency from our minds for the time being, this country very much resembles that land we read of that flours with milk and honey all the land I have seen is rolling & beautiful it very much resembles round [illegible] between Springfield & Rochester, & everything that lives her is secsesh even the horses & cattle, during about two weeks of our travil it was through rain & watter almost knee deep & wet through nearly all the time but now its dry & hot, the corn is knee high, & there is thousand of bushels of wheat that is going to waste in the fields for want of cure there is scarely a white man to be seen on any of the farms & but few neagroes, I may probably [illegible] be in an engagement before your answer to this short epistle will reach me, therefore I trust you will promptly answer & I will write oftener. So far as the news of the day is concerned it would be usless for me to relate any of it for you are better posted in that than I am, I have never yet received any pay from the government but we are expecting pay every day, there will be about sixty dollars coming to me when I get payed besides twenty six dollars I sold a watch for. I think of sending my money home & getting you to take care of it & settlem some accounts there is against me for me. Its now after taps so I must close Please answer promptly & give respects to all. On the opsite side I will give you directions for writing.

Direct as follows to Sergeant James Fox U.S.A.

near Warrentown VA via of Washington

12 regt 2nd Batt U.S.A. near Warrentown VA via of Washington City

I remain very respectfully your obedient servant Sergeant James Fox, U.S.A.

Sergt James Fox Valley of the Shenandoah July 13/62

Everything in general nothing in particular. Wants to know if Capt. Joab Wilkinson has fulfilled his promises.