Dated “Elmira, Thursday, June 24^th, 1861.” 4 pp., in ink, on unlined paper, 8 x 6.5”. Exhibits fold-marks, and slight smudges. Else VG, and entirely legible. Fascinating early-war letter by the regiment’s Lt. Col. to a son at home; containing numerous tidbits of camp life and regimental pets. Text:

“My Dear Sam—As I know you want to be a good boy and grow up to be a good man, I send a picture of Col Ellsworth who was himself a good man and a dutiful son, who always obeyed his parents in everything.

You remember how cruelly he was shot a few weeks ago by one of the rebels. He was only about 24 years old, I believe, but had already become famous from being good a man and excellent officer. I want you to try to be good too—Always obey your parents and your teachers and then they all love and respect you. Above everything always tell the truth. Col. Ellsworth never told a lie in his life. You are very good about that too, and I want you always to continue so….

[Camp life & Pets]

…..Tomorrow our regiment are to have their muskets, when they will have to learn how to load and fire them, so as to be able to shoot the rebels if we ever meet them—You don’t know how proud our men are with their new uniforms, and you ought to the pets that some of the soldiers have—one company has got two or three tame crows; another a couple of young foxes that play with each other just as Vic and Joe Smith used to. In Uncle Levi’s company they have a couple of kittens and one of the companies have even got a tame mouse. The men almost quarrel to see who gets to play with them. One of the men in Uncle Levi’s company is a great tall fellow over six feet high named Henry Allen…..He thinks he is a great dancer, but when he dances, he moves about as graceful as a cow. Talking of cows, you ought to see the fun we have when a cow strays into our parade ground—the men wait till she gets fairly in & then each one seizes his quart cup & starts for the cow to milk her. The other day I counted no less than 7 cows who were being milked by the soldiers & when they once get at it they don’t leave her till they get every drop.

Theodore Brown, a brother of that girl who goes to Mr. Wellers school is fond of laying in bed in the morning, but if they only tell him there’s a cow in the field, he starts up and jumps for that bossy quick enough—But I have written enough for one letter so will end by sending my best love to Mama and all at our house…From your affectionate Father/ S. R. Beardsley.”

Samuel R. Beardsley, 45, enlisted at Oswego, NY, 5/16/1861, as Lieutenant Colonel of the 24^th New York Infy. He was wounded at Groveton, VA, 8/29/1862, and promoted to Colonel, 1/16/ 1863. Mustered out, on 5/29/1863, he was commissioned as captain into US Volunteers Adjutant Genl Dept, and died of disease, 12/28/1863----The 24^th New York was a two regiment that mustered out in May 1863, having lost 122 men killed in action, mortally wounded or by disease. Its “Three year men” were transferred and incorporated in the 76^th New York.

A superb letter, by an excellent Lieutenant Colonel of the 24^th New York. Includes letter transcript, and lithograph—9.75 x 6”—of the “Dog of Our Regiment”. In protective sleeve. Accompanied by documentation. Invites further research.   [jp]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!