Soldier's Letter, Civil War - NY 17th Regiment, June 1961

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 3, 1861

Headquarters 17th Regt. Camp Mansfield, Washington, D.C., June 27, '61

My Friend Rice:  On Thursday afternoon, June 21st, we were all agreeably surprised by the order to march for Washington, on the day following at 1 P.M.  The excitement and eager hurrying to and fro, preparing for our sudden march can better be imagined than described.  All were at once set work, and the officers were busily engaged in superintending the packaging of the men's knapsacks and in providing themselves with the necessaries for the journey.

We left Staten Island at 1 P.M. and proceeded in a boat to 14th St. where we landed, and marched down Broadway.  The Russ pavement was covered with a thin coating of mud, rendering the footing insecure, and had our Regiment not been proverbial for its temperance, the bystanders might well have thought we were all drunk. But I was informed by several citizens that our marching was a great improvement on that of a Regiment which an hour before marched over the same ground.  We halted in front of the City Hall and received rations, nicely tied up in papers, after which we marched to Pier 3, and took the Red Jacket for Elizabethport, N.J.  Here we arrived at 9-1/2 P.M., and after a delay of two hours took a train for Harrisburgh Pa.  Much delay was made from want of cars, as several regiments had passed over the same route within a few hours previous.  We, however, arrived at Harrisburgh at 6 P.M. Saturday.  Scanty rations were served out to the men on the train, and we were again on our way.

We reached Baltimore, the "mob city," at 9 A.M., Sunday, and marched through the city.  I confess I was greatly surprised at our treatment there.  Instead of receiving unkind treatment, as it had been hinted to us we would, we were most kindly cared for, and as soon as the Regiment came to a halt, men, women, and children, both white and black, were passing ice water among the men, and it was thankfully received, as the day was terribly hot.  Bread, butter, tea and coffee were also furnished for the sick, and the citizens stated their regrets at not being able to furnish the entire Regiment with food.  The New Hampshire Regiment which arrived an hour before us, marched with us through the city.  I had an opportunity to converse with what appeared to me to be prominent citizens, who told me that the Union feeling had always been strong, but the force of the mob for a time kept it down.  I think this may perhaps be true, at least appearances now show that the mob would control if it could!  To substantiate this I will say that regiments passing through by day and by night receive very different treatment.  Two Wisconsin Regiments passed through Washington on Tuesday morning, and the officers informed me that their march through Baltimore at 10 P.M. the night previous, was interrupted by hisses, groans, and that several shots were fired, but the darkness of the night prevented them from discovering from what direction they came.  The Police I was informed were nearly all rabid secessionists.  I was told that only 20 out of the force of 400 were unconditional Union men. This shows that the mob takes the advantage of the night, "where evils are most free."  We however can make no complaint of Baltimore.

We arrived at Washington Saturday night at 4 o'clock, and were quartered for the night, the right wing of the Regiment on Louisiana avenue at the Washington Assembly Rooms, the left in the Congregational church on 5th st., West.  All slept in the pews (as usual when in such a place) and Lieut. Martin and myself occupied the pulpit.  Who ever thought we'd occupy  a pulpit in Washington?  With scanty rations we passed the night and day following till 5 P.M. when the Regiment, except the guard and officer of the guard, who at this time happened to be your respectfully, moved to the heights overlooking Washington from the S.E.  Here we are in camp.  It is very pleasant and the men seem pleased with their quarters.  We do our own cooking and the rations are passable.  The only trouble is with the water.  It is thoroughly impregnated with magnesia and must be used sparingly if used without injury. 

We are within 5 or 4 miles of the enemy, and orders have been given for each regiment to be in readiness for the "long roll" which is liable to be at any moment.  Arrangements have been made [unreadable] to fire these guns and toll the church bells as an alarm.  If this camp is attacked, I think we will be ready.  [...unreadable...] sleeping with one ear open for the "long roll" which summons every man to be instantly ready, and always means battle.  Our company occupies the right of the -?- next to the -?- company.  We are in a good place for the fight, where the battle will be more heavy than in any other place in the regiment.  I saw four Confederate soldiers marched through the streets of Washington on Tuesday last.  Also one man, about sixty years old I should judge, [taken] to prison.  Our men are in good condition and are greatly improving to their camp lives.  We present as good an appearance as any other encampment and much better than some.  [unreadable] in engagement, you may expect to learn a good account form the Chenango boys. We had at Staten Island two stands of colors presented to the regiment, one of which cost $500.  We were not allowed to carry our Chenango flag on the staff, and I took it off and placed it in my trunk. The staff is safely stowed in New York, and we will on our return bear our banner, the remembrance of the fair ones of Norwich, again triumphantly into town!

Our daily routine of Camp life is this:  At 4-1/2 A.M., Reveille, when all in camp must turn out.  Roll is called, and companies dismissed till 5, when squad drill occupies the time till 7.  At this hour "Pess on the trencher" beats.  Dismissed till 10 when company drill sounds.  At 12 dismissed and "Roast Beef" beats at 1 P.M..  From 3 till 4-1/2 company drill.  At 8  Dress parade.  At 7 companies fall in for drill which ends at 8.  Tattoo beats at 9-1/2 when all men are obliged to turn into quarters.  Taps at one, all lights out.  You will see that all the time is occupied, except the few hours between drills.  It is "tremenjus" hot, and the sun comes down at the rate of 90 knots an hour.

Will you be kind enough to send us a Telegraph occasionally.  I hear from friends in New York that they are repeatedly sent, but whether they are intercepted as incendiary documents or not I cannot say; sufficient that we do not receive them.  Even in New York we could not get them, and every letter stated that they were sent. The only one I saw while there was brought by C.W. Oriendorf, esq., who paid us a visit at the Park Barracks.  I saw Mr. Gibbs yesterday.  he was in Norwich last winter.  I also received an invitation from Mr. King, a hotel keeper, formerly from Chenango co., to meet him at his house, but as yet no opportunity has presented itself.  Please send us the files of papers for the last three or four weeks, if you have them convenient.  

I will write you again as soon as anything important occurs.  Believe me to be yours for the flag, and the War till the rebellion is crushed.  E.P.P.