5th New Hampshire Infantry

Item LTR-6351

Description

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


Private


Camp Manassas
March 23rd 1862

My Dear Father,

Those changes of which I spoke the General returned “not approved” and the Colonel now threatens Captain Sturtevant with arrest for preferring false and malicious charges. This he will not do for any one of the charges can be substantiated and the Colonel will know enough to let him alone. Sturtevant has so little backbone. I can say it will all pass over. The Major, however, as well as most of the officers are very indignant at the course of the General and threaten to resign. Major Cook I understand sent in his resignation yesterday. But it was not accepted, i.e. I understand it was not.

I presume no other officer will resign. Although they will know that the reason Colonel Cross was not arrested was because he misrepresented things to the General. He told General Howard that he had not an officer in his regiment that knew anything when he came into the regiment. That he had learned them all they know. And had set up nights to do it. That there was not one of them but had lain himself liable to arrest and he had forbid on account of their ignorance, etc. take this with the fact that he has many officer that know more than he does or ever can, it is rather tough. If I don’t, I am sorry. At any rate, if I can’t handle the regiment as well as he can, I want to come home. If we were not in the face of the enemy, I would resign tomorrow. I can’t stand this pressure much longer.

Remember and keep this to yourself, with the exception referred to in my other letter. If these statements from me were known here, it would ruin me. I hope you will see Benj immediately

Yours in haste and confidence,

Ira Barton