61st PA Infantry Civil War Letter March 3, 1862 Breakup of Birney’s 23rd PA

61st Pennsylvania Infantry – Civil War Soldier Letter Dated March 3, 1862 – Camp Sanford Mentions the breakup of the 23rd Pennsylvania (Birney’s Regiment)
 
This original Civil War soldier’s letter was written by Thomas of the 61st Pennsylvania Infantry on March 3, 1862, from Camp Sanford. In it, he describes his recent transfer from the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry (Birney’s Regiment) to the 61st Pennsylvania and the strong dissatisfaction it caused among the men of both regiments.
 
Thomas explains that the five best companies were taken from the 23rd Pennsylvania, leaving the remaining ten companies deeply upset. He notes that the soldiers “all seemed to take it as hard as if they had been leaving their homes.” The 23rd Pennsylvania was widely regarded as one of the finest regiments in the service, composed mostly of young men aged 18 to 20 who were very attached to their officers.
 
He contrasts the leadership between the two regiments, speaking favorably of the new Colonel of the 61st Pennsylvania, who showed more concern for the welfare of his men. Thomas recounts a telling incident from his last night on guard duty with the 23rd: during a heavy rainstorm, the previous Colonel (Col. Neil) refused to allow the guards any shelter and threatened arrest for anyone who left their post. In sharp contrast, the new Colonel of the 61st removed most of the guards during a heavy snowstorm and allowed the men greater freedom, even permitting them to leave camp as they wished.
 
Full Transcription:
 
Camp Sanford March 3 (1862)
 
Dear Brother,
 
I received your last letter and have been so busy that I could not possibly answer sooner. Since I wrote last we have been transferred from our former Regt to this the 61st Pa.
 
This movement has caused not a little dissatisfaction in both Regts. the five best companies has left the 23rd. The boys all seemed to take it as hard as if they had been leaving their homes. the ten companies that was left felt worse than we did. the 23rd was counted the best in the service and it was worthy of the best name. It was composed mostly of boys from 18 to 20 years old. the men were very much attached to their officers. We had very good hire (sic) officers and good Field officers excepting the Major Ely or I should say useless as he was commonly called by the boys. I like it better here than I did in the other Regt and I think the other boys will. We have a better Col now than we had in the other, that it has more feeling for the men. He was in our tent today to see us. He is very common. The last night that I was on Guard in the 23 it rained and stormed very hard all night. Col Neil came to the Officer of the Guard and told him that if he let any of us go to our tents that he would put him under arrest and he would put every one in the Guard house that left and we had no shelter at all. I thought that was pretty hard. It is snowing here tonight very hard and it is just the other way with this Col. he has taking most of the Guards off on account of the storm. It only takes six men to guard this Camp where it would take 32 in the other. the Col told the men to go to their tents and stay where we can go where we please. We can go out of camp any time we choose. The drums are beating for Roll Call and I must stop writing. tell John I will write to him soon.
 
From your son Thomas
 
Details:
- Writer: Thomas 
- Date: March 3, 1862
- Location: Camp Sanford
- Regiment: 61st Pennsylvania Infantry (recently transferred from the 23rd PA)
- Single sheet, fully written on front and back (typical folded letter style of the period)
- Clear, legible handwriting
- Excellent content with specific regimental details and personal observations
 
A very desirable early-war Pennsylvania soldier letter with good content regarding the breakup of Birney’s 23rd Pennsylvania Regiment and contrasting leadership styles. Perfect for Civil War collectors, Pennsylvania regimental history enthusiasts, or anyone interested in the personal experiences of Union soldiers in 1862.
 
Would make a fine addition to any Civil War manuscript or Pennsylvania infantry collection.