Letter from William Davis Dimock written to Sylvia Russell Bullock regarding Jud’s rapid decline, June 19, 1862
I am watching with poor Jud tonight- tis still as death all about, excepting his occasional fits of pain- and his loud orders to his Regiment- he has imagined himself the past few hours with his men, and has this moment ordered his horses saddled – that he may ride forward with the advance; he has thought himself in Hartford- in New York and in Bristol – he says he would like to see Sylvia. He has just called ‘Berry Berry” and tis pitiful to listen to him- his strength is about wasted, and unless some great change occurs very soon he will “know us no more” – It is hard to be with him- and see him suffer so – and not to have him recognize us – or for us to be able to ease him – he is living now only on stimulants (brandy & milk) and is at the same time taking dreadfully strong medicines –
I now sit near him with a faithful servant opposite – poor Dora has gone to another room to get some sleep. We talked of my dear Syliva this afternoon and Dora said she so wished- you could be with her.
The Doctor gives no encouragement tonight – and Jud’s constitution can alone save him – he has unnatural strength at times & then again can scarcely raise his head. He has not had his reason for eleven days – he put his ring on Dora’s finger yesterday – his fingers have grown so thin that it dropped off – Everybody here is kind & attentive – but if he is doomed to die, all our attentions cannot save him, & I fear (if we can judge from his symptoms & the Dr. impressions) that before you received this, I shall have telegraphed you sad news.