Camp 47^th Reg't N.Y.Vols

Palatka, Fla.,

April 3, 1864

 

My dear Captain:

                        Through the stupidity of George Traver, of Co. "D", I only received your letter yesterday, enclosing the signed Invoices of Camp and Garrison Equipage. The non-receipt of them has been a source of much worriment to me, especially as I found, on overhauling the company papers, that Garland had neglected to send on your January return, and had not even got the rolls signed for clothing. I will fix that—even now my company clerk (Bartold, whom I have instructed in everything, and who is an indefatigable worker) is getting the rolls signed as I write to you, and all the returns will be mailed to-morrow. You need not worry yourself about anything here—for I will have everything fixed right for you and myself by day-after-to-morrow. I will forward the affidavits of Corporals McAuley and Roper as to the loss and abandonment of property. Thus will end your responsibility.

 

            There is nothing very startling here, except that we have to turn out and form line for an attack here every few days. Night before last the Rebs took a Sergeant and three men of the Mass. Cavalry off their posts, and on the same day our Provost Marshal went up the river and captured ten Rebs and 13 horses. It is little raids all the time. The other night the Rebs blew up the steamer "Maple Leaf" while on her way to Jackson / ville from here. "Abijah" was on board, and we hear that he presented a sorry sight when he landed at the town. All the passengers escaped in the boats. A week ago last Monday we were ordered out to skirmish for the enemy's cavalry, and such a humbug affair you never saw. MacDonald got the whole line mixed up—skirmishing left in front, and Co "G" way down on the left of the line. A couple of companies would have whipped the whole regiment, while we were snarled up. It was laughable to hear the "Olustee" boys growl and swear. Col. Moore received many a compliment by the men comparing his action with Macs. The Colonel is the most popular commander that ever came near the 47^th. Be kind enough to convey my best wishes to him, and I only wish that my wishes could do him good. I sincerely trust he will come out all right and sound, and again assume his place at the head of the regiment.

 

            Frank Butts goes home by this steamer on a leave of absence for 30 days. MacDonald forwarded Frank's papers alone, although my application was first in. Col. Barton then returned my application, with the remark that "no officers could be spared from the 47^th at present". It was well played all round. They have me here on Board of Survey for all imaginable things, and, as usual, I am the cart-horse to do all the work. I would give considerable / for promotion, if it was only to beat this man "Barton" for a while, as he would hardly think of putting three Captains on a Board of Survey. As to this matter of promotion I desire to say a word, which you can communicate to the Colonel if you like. So far as I am personally concerned, I feel that Col. Moore has behaved toward me with the greatest kindness, and I should not complain at the promotion of any of the officers in the Regiment—first, because he has the right to promote any one he pleases, and second, because I have that confidence in his judgment which will lead me to know that he has acted for the best, without asking any explanation on the subject. But there are those here who already begin to cavil at the Colonel, saying that we are likely to have outside parties sent down here, that the delay in filling the vacancies is to give time for outside influences to work, &c. I should consider it a very unfortunate affair if any party not heretofore connected with the Regiment came down as a commissioned officer, not only for the bad feeling it would engender on the part of the officers, but also for the deleterious influence it would have on the non-com'd officers and men. But I desire to be understood as pledging my allegiance to any action the Colonel may deem advisable.

 

            Lieut. Farley is going home by this steamer. He finds that it will be impossible for him to remain here with any comfort, and is also / aware that he would be sent before an Examining Board as soon as mustered.

 

            I must close; as the boat is going off. Give my love to all of "our fellows". Ask Duffy what in thunderation he means by not writing to me. He can't play off a sore leg on me, for I know that if he stays in the house, as he ought to, he would be compelled to write to me to quiet his conscience. Just say to him that if he don't write regularly, I will send word home about the facts of the case when he beat me by five minutes! How are you, Walter?

 

            And now, for the present, good-bye. I trust you are enjoying yourself heartily and rationally, and wishing that I may soon be with you, I remain

                                                                                                           

Yours, truly,

John A Smith

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