2nd Massachusetts Infantry

Item LTR-6185

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages written in period ink.


Headquarters, 2nd Massachusetts Regiment
Camp Near New Market, VA

May 10, 1862

Colonel G. H. Gordon
Commanding
3rd Brigade

Sir,

In compliance with your order, I have the honor to submit the following report concerning the conduct of Captain Underwood and his company of this regiment.

I send herewith the statements of Captain Underwood, Captain Quincy, Lieutenant Fox and Sergeant Glidden, all of this regiment. From these it appears that Major Scott’s statement was quite inaccurate. While the manner of performing the important duty of outposts, exhibited by these statements, is not such as I would tolerate as field officer of the day. And leaves no doubt that the inattention of officers of the day in not seeing to the proper instruction of officers and men in regard to their duties and in not habitually and uniformly requiring the faithful discharge of their duties, has much to do with the careless performance of the duties. Several points of detail are not well settled. At least in the minds of officers we are commonly called upon to perform outpost duty. It would probably tend to great improvement of officers could be furnished with a set of instructions for outpost duty.

I am Sir,

Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant,

George L. Andrews
Lieutenant Colonel, 2nd Massachusetts
Commanding