1st New York Infantry

Item LTR-6967

Description

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


Newport News, Virginia

February 15th 1862

My Dear Colonel,

I have been about trying to write to you for a long time past, but have been unable to do so for the reason that my right arm has been out of order through a cold I took some weeks ago. The regiment is going on about as usual. The small bickering exist as of old. I gave an order permitting Lager Beer to be sold to officers, but have been compelled to countermand it (but that will not surprise you). Major Clancy and Lieutenant Page had a game of the manly art night before last but I have not been able to get at the affair yet, all who I inquire of say they do not know anything about it. I much fear that field promotion will not prove any great addition to the dignity of the regiment until talk and muscle are requisite for it. Captain VanTuyl arrived yesterday. Lieutenants Leslie and Morris’ arrival have been reported to you by the Assistant Adjutant VanTuyl has a hard job before him. A large number of his men being perfectly green and the old men being under no control, I fear it will be a long time before this command will be worth anything. He was I understand to have brought sixty men, there has been but 47 reported by him all told and that is all he claims. Leslie who had 30, he told you, brought 18, two of which have been rejected and 3 more are worthless. But I pressed the three through on trial for a short time and to wind up about Leslie, if he ever makes an officer of any kind I will begin to think I have lived out of the world during my life time and am no judge of mankind. Lieutenant Morris is as good an officer as there is in the regiment today, and in a short time will have no superior (appearances notwithstanding).

You have been anxious to have your two sergeants recalled. Send them back and state that they are worthless to you. (I think if you refer to the regulations, you will understand how to do it). After their return, I will make another detail. In the case of Jones, I am of the opinion that a person present with a command is better able to arrange its affairs than one absent though he should be the General in Chief. You have heard that Ellingwood and Scott have resigned. I am told by Lieutenant Wallace. I think you had better endeavor to get a man like Ellingwood for one vacancy, except you can fill it by an officer with new (not paper men). I shall recommend William Wallace for the Adjutantcy in the event of his appointment taking place if J. Allen can do anything at all. I will recommend him for that vacancy.

The mail carrier is waiting. I will write again tomorrow.

Yours truly,
G. Dyckman

Ingersoll is in New York, see him about rifles. Write at once to Washington and get an order on the ordnance officer here to deliver 900 altered muskets to us.