Head Qr's 42^nd Regt N.Y.Vols

Camp Near Warrenton Va

 Oct 26^th 1863

 

Dear Dr                                                                                              

            I think it high time that you especially should hear a few words from one, whom you have spent so much time and attention upon. I have this much to say in my own justification. Before I had become fairly settled in camp, the bugle sounded the alarm note and boot and saddle were the order of the day. Since the 8^th day of this month until the present time I cannot say that one hour of time has been my own. Night and day, we have been on the march or fight. 3 battles and I dare not say how many miles of march has been the result. Up and down, hither and thither through the land. The two armies have been indulging in that fascinating game (to boys) of tag. The sport has ended disastrous to the Rebels this time and they have vented their spite on the country / roads, provender provisions &c. &c. Besides this they engaged in the lucrative employment of tearing up rail road track, heating the rails and then fastening one end to a tree bending said rails into mammoth cork screws another innocent amusement was in placing long trains of cars convenient to some high embankment, firing them, then starting locomotives some mile off under full head of steam, to butt into the cars as a matter of course making flinders of all We are now busily engaged in repairing what the rascals have destroyed. Dr the Rebel Army of Virginia is in a bad condition, a very bad one. from prisoners taken by us (not the common herd, but men of position and education) I learn the following. The secesh of Virginia are simply kept under Rebel rule by their sense of pride. The suffering is felt in its full force by those only who live in cities and large towns. The scattered population / of farmers & planters can raise enough to keep body and soul together. But the first named class actually suffer for the common necessities of life, luxuries have been out of the question long since The Markets are held & governed by Jews and blockade runners of the vilest caste By men who have long since sold their souls for Gold. In fact they state that pen cannot describe the state to which society has come to, the lenders cite the sufferings of our Revolutionary Fathers as an example for their deluded victims to follow, and the beginning of the end is not yet. The rebels fight with a desperation worthy of a better cause, although it is an old adage that a hungry dog makes the best fight or foot race. Another great and fearful drawback to the Union Cause, is the constant change of Comd'g Genl's of our Armies. I have all along made up my mind that there is almost as much to fear from that pack / of wolves in Washington, as from Richmond itself at the very present moment. the removal of Gen'l Mead is being agitated amongst the wolves. Now we will bring the case home. You as a physician are called in, in a desperate case of fever. You study the patients case lay out your course of treatment and prescribe. After a time friends consider you are not curing fast enough and the first thing you know another is called to your place and you are deliberately dismissed Your professional pride, let alone your feelings are hurt, and in nine cases out of ten you will not even give to the new comer even an inkling of your proposed course of treatment. the consequence is (Dr no 2) must rely on his own resources and as likely as not he in his practice will undo all that you have done and probably loose the case. In my humble way of comparison I consider that such has been the manner in which the Army of the Potomac has been doctored Am I right or no. The reason why I speak so plainly is my life and the lives of my companions & comrades are at stake I value my life as cheap as any one. But if I must be butchered I want the satisfaction of butchering some one in return. It is all very well to thunder forth big speeches & mandates from Washington but we in the field cannot see it. Give us a good long letter. My love to Emma & Eva. Love also to Mother and all the relations and forgive me for not writing before

So good bye for the present

                                                                       

I remain as ever your Brother

Edwin R. Pierce

1^st Lieut Commanding Co B

42^nd N.Y. Vols                                    

                                                                        

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