Letter from the New York 114th Regiment
Chenango American, December 18, 1862
On Board Transport Thames,
off Fortress Monroe, Dec. 3, 1862
Dear Friend: I promised when we parted I would write you, as you requested, when we arrived somewhere, and as there are strong indications of our starting for some other where will now fulfill my promise. It is just four weeks this afternoon since these four companies embarked on board "this slaughter pen" known as the Thames, since which time we have been on board and on shore at this place, at Newport News and at Norfolk. while confined in this pen, our bodies, and I might say our souls too, are saturated with all sorts of impurities, and we are sent ashore to try and shake them off again, for no other purpose than to make room for another supply, and thus keep up the rotation, farmer-like as the most of us are. The unhealthy condition of those on board the Arago and Atlantic, induced the issuing of an order for them and other Regiments on board those ships, to go into camp at this place, consequently they were all very busy, and pleasingly so too, in pitching their tents; and having fasted all day, as you know is customary upon such occasions, and having swallowed their illy prepared supper had got into a comfortable snooze, when the order came requiring them all to be on board their ships at daylight the next morning. And in accordance with that order this Brigade and many other troops are afloat, ready for a departure to some place (to us small fry) unknown. There is of course much speculation, but those who think they have a right to know entertain the opinion that Newbern or Port Royal is the point of disembarkation.
At Newport News we had the pleasure of going on board the far-famed Monitor, and without particularizing I would say that to my mind she seemed more like a rock of iron than anything else. Her solidity and impregnability would convey that idea. The new Ironsides is lying there too, and the other vessels of war are constantly with steam up. It is said they are waiting for the appearance of the Merrimac No. 3--Here too lies the frigate Cumberland, with about half the height of her masts and rigging above the water; a fitting monument to the brave fellows who defended her. the Congress too lies within a mile, but does not make so imposing an appearance in consequence of her being burnt to the water's edge.
Norfolk presents a sad picture of melancholy gloom, for a city of so much importance as she once was, presenting a picture of Sabbath day stillness all the while. Here secession is imprinted upon everything, and upon every face; for the inhabitants, except the negro, evince to their every action and cast of the eye, their determined hatred of Northern soldiers.
Capt. N.A. Dederer, Co. E, 114th Regiment.
[Since the above was in type, another letter has been received from the same source, which is postmarked Port Royal, South Carolina, giving an interesting account of the dangers of the voyage thither, with other particulars. We shall give extracts therefrom in our next. It appears that four hundred of our Regiment, consisting of companies E,I,H. and K, were on board the transport Thames, and that during the voyage she became disabled, and after much difficulty was taken in tow by the Ericsson, and towed into Port Royal, South Carolina, the remainder of the expedition proceeding on their voyage. Our boys had a narrow escape from going down at sea. The steamer which towed them in has gone on, but Col. Smith's four companies were obliged to remain at Hilton Head, for lack of means of transportation. What disposition will be made of them is not known. The destination of Banks' Expedition still remains a secret.]
_______________________________________________________________
Obituary, Nicholas A. Dederer
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, October 3, 1885
Captain Nicholas A. Dederer, a veteran of the late war, was buried from his late residence in Greene [Chenango Co., NY], Tuesday. Captain Dederer was born in New York City in 1807. He removed to Chenango from Orange Co. over 40 years ago. He entered the Army in 1862 as First Lieutenant of Company E, 114th Regiment, N.Y.V., and was commission Captain in November of that year. He was placed in charge of the convalescent camp at Brashear City, La., on the first Teche campaign in the spring of 1863. About the first of June he joined his regiment at Port Hudson and remained with it during the march up Red River in the spring of 1864, when from excessive fatigue and exposure he was prostrated with disease and compelled to resign. From his years and experience being, probably, the oldest man in the 114th, he won the appellation of "father of the regiment." For sometime he held the important position of provost marshal of the parishes St. Charles, St. John's and St. Mary's, La. As a soldier and a citizen he was universally respected and beloved. He held the position of Deputy Postmaster of Greene for many years. His son, T. Dederer, was acting ensign in the United States ship Yantic and participated in the attack and capture of Fort Fisher. After the war he obtained the captaincy of one of the largest ocean steamers. He died at the residence of his father in Greene some eight years ago. Captain Dederer's eldest daughter, the first wife of Dr. Charles Wood of New York, died in Sacramento shortly after the war. His youngest daughter, Josephine, died some two years ago. The only remaining members of the family are the widow, the wife of Peter B. Rathbone of Syracuse, ex-sheriff of Chenango, and the wife of Colonel W.G. Welch, port warden in New York. It may be mentioned as somewhat remarkable that the commander of the regiment, Colonel S.R. PerLee; the major, O.H. Curtis; the oldest captain, Major D.D. Bullock and the surgeon, H.H. Beecher were in attendance and acted as pall bearers. The other pall bearers were Captain U. Rorapaugh and Chauncey Simmons, also of the 114th regiment. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Taunt of the Episcopal Church. Otis G. Banks post, G.A.R., and the Rescue fire company, of which deceased was a member, attended in a body. 
No comments:
Post a Comment