Oxford Times, June 26, 1861
Camp Scott, Staten Island, June 18th 1861
I got back here yesterday, and found that six or eight of the boys of our company had deserted. Three of those who left us got to Norwich [Chenango co., NY] at the same time I did, and circulated such stories about us that recruiting was about impossible. At Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], we had eight men enrolled who refused to go, simply because they had heard that Webb and two others had returned, and did not know their reasons for leaving.
When I left for Norwich, we had sixty-one members, and had they all stayed by us, our company would now have been full. As matters now stand, it is very discouraging. A large number of the boys have got homesick, and not having been swore in, it is impossible to keep them. We have enrolled 140 members for this company, and since had here at one time only 65 men. This morning they all left us, but about 50. A good part of these have been wanting to go home for some time. I shall not at present mention any names, but I must say that I am very much disappointed in the blood of Old Chenango. Not in the patriotism of her citizens, but in the manhood and bravery of her sons. The boys are very fickle, they have no complaints to make about their fare or officers. The novelty of the thing has worn off, and they have determined to go home. Would to God we had never brought them. I do not wish to say a word against our Captain, but it does seem as though he at least ought to keep up firm determination. When he saw the turn things were taking today, instead of urging the boys with all his influence to keep up good spirits and stay with the company, he has circulated a paper purporting to be his resignation, and the disaffected boys have signed it. He has gone to New York, whether to come back or not, I do not know. He has got entirely discouraged. We may as well say it first as last. The company is disbanded by the desertion of the boys. Bloom and myself with sixteen boys whom we have induced to follow us have consolidated into a company from Steuben County. Albert Neidick, Dwight Adams and James E. Brown from Oxford, are with us, Ed. Mitchell and Tyler Bush are now on the Camp grounds, undecided what to do. Thomas A. Barber with eighteen or twenty others from Norwich and vicinity have left the grounds. I exceedingly regret that matters are in this fix, the few boys who have got this company together feel conscious of having done all we could both to form the company and to hold it together when formed.
With such a state of things you will readily see that we are entirely undeserving the flag which the good people of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] were intending to present us. What the issue of this affair will finally be, it is hard telling. It will take only a little time when we shall know for a certainty.
Capt. Tyrrell's company are now encamped on the ground where Willson's men were quartered. They expected to go to Harrisburgh, Friday of this week. They have received their uniforms and are in the best of spirits.
A thousand thanks to the young ladies of Oxford. Would that all of the young men of Chenango were worthy of their noble efforts. Remember me to my friends in Oxford. R.
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