1st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery

Item LTR-6010

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages written in period ink. Also served in the 2nd, 5th & 17th New Hampshire Infantry.

Battery Cameron, DC

November 30th 1864

Colonel Long

Dear Sir,

I did not have an opportunity to say to you all that I wished to in regard to my being drum major of your regiment.

Colonel Ed. L. Bailey of the old “Second” recommended me to Colonel Bell for that position and said of me in his letter to him, that I was “the best drummer that he had ever heard and from his own knowledge of a drum major’s duty, was every way qualified.” Colonel Bell promised me the place but when I found that you and Colonel Barton were to be commanders of this regiment, I immediately enlisted into it, relying upon your knowledge of me to get me that place here. I came into the service for the third time during the way hoping to be identified otherwise than as a simple company musician. The bounty, pay, etc., which I shall receive for my year will not amount to be much as I could get at home by two hundred dollars and this will show you that money had no influence in my case. I should like to be drum major of this regiment for I have an ambition to get up a drum corps such as I belonged to in the U.S. service when a boy of 14 years old. I have never yet seen two drummers that were able to perform the duty of a company drummer unless he had practiced in the U.S. schools.

I have a friend with me for a fifer who is decidedly the best one in the regiment and I think superior to any that can be found in this vicinity. And is known and distinguished form all others by his excellent execution and clear and loud tone. Speaking of him as I know and feel. I will say that your choice for a major fifer can not fall upon a more competent or worthy man. Mr. Charles T. Summers (the man I am speaking of) is also a thoroughly drilled man in the manual of arms and understands very well the movements required in battalion drill. We have had assurances from nearly every officer in the regiment that we should get the places of drum and fife majors. He is also a veteran and I think if competency and merit has anything to do with it, we are entitled to the place. I think that you will find that the officers of your regiment will recommend us. Three companies drew up a request, directed to you in my favor, but I have deferred sending it. Or rather sent it to Mrs. Pickering of Concord, who received it I think too late to hand it to you before you left for Washington. So far as recommendations go, I can get you the best men in Concord to endorse for me. Will you help us?

Respectfully,

Sidney T. Bates

Company D
New Hampshire Heavy Artillery (see 4th page)

I would suggest that it would be a good idea to let the different company musciians each take turns and play you a “tattoo” at your headquarters at the time for playing it and give to those who can practically demonstrate their superiority in the knowledge of the business, the two warrants.

S. T. B.