Monday, November 30, 2020

Civil War - Rebuttal of a Soldier's Complaints - February 7, 1864

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 24, 1864

"A Private Soldier's Complaints."

Head Quarters, 89th Reg. N.Y.V., Folly Island, S.C., Feb. 7 [1864]

Editor of Chenango Union:  Sir:  I have this day seen your issue of Jan. 27th, containing a letter purporting to be written by a member of this regiment, and sighed B. Hunter (a fictitious name) containing statements that are wholly false.

1st. No soldier is charged with clothing, but what he signs the receipt roll, as evidence that he has received the same.

2d. I do not believe one dollar of Company savings has ever been appropriated by an officer of this regiment to his own personal use; and as for officers gambling with the men, it is too ridiculous to need comment, for the facts are, that gambling is not tolerated under any circumstances.

The young man's brain is too fruitful of imaginary wrongs to be a truthful correspondent, therefore his communications should be discarded.

I would most respectfully request you to inform me of the author of said communication or forward to these Headquarters the original.

I am, very respectfully, your ob't serv't, T.L. England, Lt. Col.

Lt. Col. England is respectfully informed that the letter referred to was published just as we received it; that we have no personal knowledge of the author, not even whether his signature was fictitious or otherwise; and that the letter itself has long since, with other waste matter, been given to the flames.  It is therefore, impossible for us to comply with his request.  Editor of Union.

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