96th Pennsylvania Infantry & Aide to General Joseph J. Bartlett

Item LTR-481

Description

4 page original Civil War soldier's letter written in period ink and war dated.


Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps
Beverly Ford
April 20th 1864

Dear Father,

Although I have no news to communicate, I thought perhaps I had better write something. If for no other purpose than to let you know that it was not inclination that kept me silent but want of subject to write about.

As you have no doubt seen by “the Press” our Army Corps have been reorganized and now form three – General Griffin having returned to the Army has assumed his old command (1st Division) and General Bartlett has been assigned and now commands what is known as the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps consisting of seven regiments viz: 1st and 16th Michigan, 18th Massachusetts, 83rd and 118th Pennsylvania, 44th New York and 20th Maine Volunteers.

April 25th 1864

Since writing the above, I have been writing out a number of reports for the General, and could not get settled down to write. General Bartlett was confirmed as a Brigadier by the Senate last week, to date form April 2, 1864. Whereas in justice and right, he should rank from October 4, 1862, the date of his appointment, as he has held and exercised the rank from that time. If he showed date only from the 2nd April 1864, he would be ranked by all the Brigadiers who have been appointed since he was. And in fact he would be the junior Brigadier in the Army. He feels much aggrieved and wronged by it, and has sent in his resignation. The acceptance of which is somewhat doubtful. If he goes out of the service, as a matter of course I would have to return to my regiment. Unless I received an appointment on some other General Staff, which is not very probable as they have all been filled. There is one chance left however. General Owen who was confirmed at the same time and from the same date as General Bartlett has since had his confirmation dated back to November 24, 1862 (the date of his original appointment) and the friends of General Bartlett think they will do the same thing for him. All these things are doubtful however, and I should not be surprised if I had to return to the old 96th where however I have the satisfaction of knowing I should be warmly welcomed. As they have been anxious for a long time that I should resume my old place, and where I should perhaps have gone, had not a sense of duty and gratitude to General Bartlett prevented it.

We are making our preparations quietly but actively for the spring campaign, and are prepared to receive marching orders any day, and are prepared to move on a very short notice. What direction, or in fact any knowledge of the plan, everybody is in profound ignorance. And as to speculation, it is very rarely that you can hear any two express the same idea. General Grant if he has formed any plans keeps them very closely to himself. It is doubted if even the Corps commanders are acquainted with them.

The recent changes in the Army Corps and the consequent formation of new brigades, and the changing of our headquarters, and fixing up anew, together with having seven regiments widely scattered has kept staff officers very lively. We had a very fine party on the 16th, tremendously crowded with “fair women and brave men” and all went off as merry as a marriage bell. It was said to be the best army ball of the season. I was the floor manager and claim that I gave universal satisfaction. The music furnished by my old brigade (2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 6th Corps) band was said to be unexceptional, and the supper was superb, and plenty for all and no change for tickets. A free blow throughout. I have not been able to visit our friends of the 2nd Corps since I was home. But I hear from them through mutual friends. All well at last accounts.

Tell Sophie to send my regards to Mrs. Waples, and that I have not a single photograph left. And moreover, that at a moderate computation I have promised about fifty to persons here in the Army. I wish when Mark or anyone else goes to Philadelphia he would get and send me a dozen or two. I have lost the direction and name of the photographer, or I would have sent myself for some. I have offers to exchange photograph nearly every day with persons whose likeness I would like to have.

I enclose you a few photographs for the parlor album. They are all considered very fine likeness. I could have sent quite a bundle, if I had had any of my own to exchange.

We had quite a hard rain yesterday and last night. But today it has cleared off and the sun has come out very hot. We can still see from our Headquarters the snow on the mountains beyond the Rapidan.

Give my love to all.

Your affectionate Son,

M. E. Richards