The letter below is one of a series of 27 letters written by Colonel Dyer to his wife Lydia between August 31, 1862 and August 11, 1865.

A resident of Skowegan, ME, 42 year-old Captain Isaac Dyer was placed in command of the 15th Maine in August 1862 and received his appointment to replace Colonel Worder in September--his appointment to Lt. Colonel (and eventually Colonel) being made official, Dec. 12, 1862. He then commanded the unit through the remainder of the war, and received a Brigadier’s Brevet for meritorious service, March 13, 1865. Resigning from service, Sept. 13, 1865, he returned to Skowegan, lived to age 92 and was buried there in 1913. His 15^th Maine served in Louisiana & Florida, participating in the 1864 Red River Campaign, and later in Virginia and was present at the Bermuda Hundred. During service it lost 5 men killed and 343 for a total of 348.

Isaac Dyer was a well-educated, highly articulate correspondent, and a shrewd observer of men and affairs. In this letter—[Dated “Georgetown July 30 1865”—2 pp. on ink on lined paper—Exhibiting fold-marks, else VG]—Dyer writes of his coming departure from the army, and of the characteristics of the black population of Georgetown, S.C. Excerpts as follow:

“I hope to see you in about six weeks if nothing happens. I do not make great calculations on leaving as I have to often been disappointed. Maj. Whitmer has resigned and gone home. Col. Murray is on Genl. Beals staff at Darlington about 70 miles from here.

We are getting along very well indeed. Some of the new men are suffering a little from sickness, the old veterans are doing finely. I hope I many do well, as I have good quarters, etc., etc.

About 7/8 of all the people are niggers. So you can imagine how we are enjoying ourselves. I want you to keep up best of courage and hope for the best. The weather is hot never running from 90 to 100 day after day…

I am going to a negro meeting this evening. They are all the people that hold meetings here and they have some pretty good speakers. There appear to a good many real characters among them.”

Excellent collectible. Solid letter home the admirable Colonel of the 15^th Maine at the close of the war.  [JP] [ph:L]

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