Letter from NY 114th Regiment - January 1865

Letter from New York 114th Infantry

Chenango American, February 2, 1865

 Camp Sheridan, Near Stevenson's Depot, Va.
January 25, 1865

After a pleasant journey I arrived at the camp of the 114th Regiment, Dec. 29th, and was cordially received by the officers and men.  January 1st we removed from Camp Russell, six miles south of Winchester, to our present camp, six miles north of the above named place.  We are now in comfortable winter quarters again, and the regiment is in good health and spirits. The 114th regiment is an honor to our country, and stands A No. 1 in the Nineteenth Army Corps.  The Inspector General said to the Colonel, the other day, "that its record stood the best of any of the New York Volunteer Regiments in the field."  It received high commendation for its coolness and bravery at the battles of Franklin and Pleasant Hill, La., Opequon (or Winchester) and Cedar Run, Va., in General Orders from the Major general commanding.  Its decimated ranks tell a fearful tale of the terrific loss in its ten battles. The regiment "does not know what it is to be whipped."  It is in a good state of discipline under the energetic yet kind command of their much loved Colonel Per Lee and his efficient officers of the field and line.  Before I joined my regiment the Agent of the Christian Commission at Winchester congratulated me on my appointment, and said that the officers of my regiment were the most intelligent and moral that he had found in this department.

A regiment bearing such a character and earning at fearful cost a military fame untarnished, should be remembered, as no doubt they are, by its friends at home.  As I have not the honor of sharing in their brave deeds in the past, I presume to suggest that a token of the estimation in which their services are held be sent them by their fellow citizens of Chenango county.  Col. Per Lee procured a beautiful stand of State colors for the Regiment on his return to it. By the side of it stands their battle flag, bearing too many honorable scars to be used much longer. Should it be replaced by a new one bearing the name and date of its well fought battles presented by friends at home, it would be an encouragement to the brave men as they enter upon the spring campaign, and under its starry folds they would rally to achieve new conquests and secure fresh laurels. Should such a token of regard be sent them, they will take as good care of it as possible and keep it untarnished except as it may be torn by the storms of battle, confidently hoping to return to the donors with it in due time.  I know that the patriotic friends of Greene will do their part in the matter, and need only be reminded of the opportunity.  Other regiments of this brigade have received fine stands of colors from their friends, and we would have (if we could) as fine a one as any.  But this I leave to the good taste of donors.

Sargent Stoughton expects to go home in a few days.  He is a good soldier.  Capt. Dederer is affectionately remembered by the officers and men of the regiment.

Yours, in behalf of the 114th Regiment, N.YV.

Wm. M. Robinson, Chaplain

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From Adjutant General's Report, 114th NY Infantry
Robinson, William M.:  Age, 37 years. Enrolled, December 1, 1864, at Camp Russell, Va., to serve three years; mustered in as chaplain, December 29, 1864; mustered out with regiment, June 8, 1865, at Washington, D.C.  Commissioned chaplain, December 1, 1864, with rank from same date