Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, May 27, 1863
Letter from the 44th New York Regiment
We are permitted to make the following extracts from a letter received by Charles R. Johnson from George H. Spry, of the 44th Regiment. We wish we had space to print the entire letter, but as it is, must content ourselves with the following:
Stoneman's Switch, near Falmouth, Va., May 18, 1863
....Most of the two years and nine months men have already left the army. Every train that has passed towards Acqua creek for the last two weeks has been loaded with discharged regiments. I assure you they are all jolly over their home prospects.
George Pabodie was here last week. He will be home next month. He has been a good soldier and will come home with a clean record. yesterday I was over to the 6th Excelsior, and saw Lieutenant Terry, and David Hetzel. Capt. R.A. Stanton is Ordinance Officer on the Staff of Gen. Graham, commander of the 3d Division 3d Corps. Stanton is a good soldier and I am glad he is appreciated.
I presume you have read much of Hooker's late movements and are anxious to know how they are regarded in the army. My observation assures me that his plans and movements were admirable and that, but for certain events which no human being could foresee or avert, we should now be in Richmond. Every intelligent soldier in the Army of the Potomac admires Gen. Hooker more than ever, for on the field he fully sustained his reputation as "Fighting Joe," and manifested that military skill and resource which should be expected of as grand an army. The battles which were fought across the Rappahannock were terribly desperate and the enemy must have lost nearly twenty thousand in killed and wounded. I assure you, Charley, the troops came off that blood stained field feeling that they had whipped the enemy and believing that our retrograde movement was expedient and necessary to the future success of our army. What army in the world in the same length of time ever did more or any better fighting than this army has done?
The Army of the Potomac has saved the Northern border states form invasion, saved our Capitol and given the "Home Guard" the pleasing assurance that, as yet, the country is safe. The memorable battle fields at most within hearing distance of Washington where bleach the bones of heroic soldiers should be sacred to the memory of the Army of the Potomac, an army unequalled for its valor and discipline in the whole world. What though this war last ten years should we have any the less certainty of final victory. The spirits of our Revolutionary fathers, and of the illustrious dead of the campaign answer, No!
I want to see a certain class of people in Chenango County who have been at their case the last two years double quicking with a knapsack on and going into a fight where they can taste of battle. There have been times heretofore when I felt -?-, but those times are past. the prospects of the Government are encouraging and already our national horizon brightens with the sunshine of foreshadowed victory. Tell the people of Norwich that all is well with out army. As I learn more of military, and more how necessary it is that every man should stand firm by the government and crush every symptom of treason in the army, or at home. Everything looks cheering to me and I am in earnest when I tell you that the army is in good spirits and has the utmost confidence in Gen. Hooker.
I send you a photograph of our flag which has seen many hard fought battles. Its bullet holes and broken shaft tell whether or not the 44th has done its duty.
Yours ever, Geo. H. Spry
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