5th & 7th New Jersey Infantry

Item LTR-6979

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages written in period ink.


Camp 7th New Jersey Volunteers
Near Petersburg, VA
December 24, 1864

Sir,

I have the honor to submit for the consideration of the proper authorities the following communication, viz:

In the month of September last, Private Dennis Dalrymple, Company A, 5th Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers was tried before a General Court Martial, convened by virtue of S.O. No. 172, from Headquarters 3rd Division, 2nd Corps, upon a charge of desertion an being found guilty was sentenced to be “shot to death with musketry”. In GCM Order No. 36, Headquarters Army Post, dated September 28, 1864, a copy of which is herewith transmitted, the sentence was commuted to “dishonorable discharge from the service, forfeiture of all pay, bounty and allowances due and to become due, and confinement at hard labor at Dry Tortugas during the remainder of the war.” The prisoner is at present undergoing punishment in accordance with said order. The previous conduct of Private Dalrymple, and the circumstanced attending his desertion, was such as to lead to the belief that his action was more the result of youthful indiscretion than willfulness. He having left the hospital at Washington and visited his home in New Jersey with the intention, as stated by himself, (and I have no doubt of his sincerity) of returning to the Army after having spent a few days with his parents and relatives, thinking that as he went from a hospital and not from the field, no charge for desertion would be brought against him. The prisoner had previously belonged to the 8th New Jersey Volunteers, and was discharged from that regiment on account of a wound received on the Peninsula in the summer of 1862. In February last he enlisted in the 5th New Jersey Volunteers, for three years ad was appointed Corporal for soldierly bearing and attention to duty, remaining with his company until after the battle of the wilderness, when he was sent to hospital on account of sickness. Believing that the exactions of military discipline, both as regards to punishment and example, have been already satisfied in his case. I respectfully and earnestly petition that Private Dennis Dalrymple be returned to his company for duty with the restoration of such pay and allowances as may be deemed proper.

I am, Sir,
Very respectfully your obedient servant,

David H. Ayers
Captain, Commanding
Company E, 7th New Jersey Volunteers
(Formerly Company A, 5th New Jersey Volunteers)

To: C. H. Fosselman
1st Lieutenant and Adjutant
7th New Jersey Volunteers