Camp near Harrison's Landing

July 30^th 1862

 

Col Parker

                       

Dear Sir

                                                I received yours of the 26^th inst last evening and was not surprised at the information with regard to Capt Wilde's appointment as I heard from a friend in Mass a week ago that it was contemplated. I was in hopes you would arrive in season to change the programme If it is possible I wish you could ascertain whether Gov. Andrew will give a promotion; if he has no vacancy in this, in one of the new regiments because if he will not I wish to leave the service entirely if I can possibly get released.

 

            We are having a hard time here on account of sickness and I am sorry to say that two of the command Sergeant Hammond of Co. C. and private Lapham of Co A. have died within the last three days besides these private Swift of Co E. cannot possibly recover and I expect to hear of his death at any moment. We have 15 men in Hospital sick with the Typhoid Fever and 2 with the measles (these two men belong to Co G.) Our location is very unhealthy on account of the malaria which rises from the swamp I have made requisition today for whiskey and propose to issue a whiskey & quinine ration by advice of the Surg. 

 

Co G. is not equal to the other companies of the Regiment either in respect to the men or officers. The Capt & 1^st Lieut are wanting in military knowledge the 2^d Lieut is a very good drill officer

 

They brought no tents with them we had just enough on hand to supply them so if the new companies can draw them on the route they had better do so provided you think they will require them after reading this order which I enclose herewith. Dont let them draw dress coats; the other companies are packing theirs up for storage

 

I am making all the necessary arrangements to carry out this order and in a day or two shall be ready but whether it will amount to anything I really cannot judge although everyone seems to think a movement will be made soon.

 

            We have 80 men and 3 commissioned officers detailed for guard at the Commissary wharves so I have no officers I can spare to assist Dearborn

 

            Whiton is discharged Austin & French sick, Holden absent Cunningham Tay & Hamilton on detached service so you can judge that we have no surplus of officers There is one thing about it Dearborn is about equal to any two other officers in the Regiment therefore Co A. gets along full as well as the other companies

 

            Capt Draper and Lieut Austin made new applications to be discharged Capt D on account of business and Austin of sickness Capt D's application came back / this morning "not granted" Austin's I expect will be granted, he is getting no better very fast.

 

            There are two men in Co G. who will have to be discharged for disability. they were enlisted by Col Pattins who should be made responsible for enlisting such men It is rather expensive business for Uncle Sam; these men have received $25 bounty $27 in clothing beside their transportation here and back again to Mass. This should be represented to Col Schouler as it will not pay to send disabled men out here especially when they are paying such large bounties

 

            Brewster the wagoner shot himself with a revolver through the wrist yesterday the ball which was about the size of a buck-shot lodged in the bone; it will six weeks before he will get well He was cleaning his pistol and supposed every barrel was discharged I issued an order commanding all privates & non-commissioned officers to deliver all pistols &c which they might have in their possession to the captains of their companies immediately. Fuller came over to my tent with his Regulations under his arm to prove that I had no right to issue such an order (Sergt March having got a pistol which he wants to keep) I told him he would be held responsible for the execution of the order.

 

Lt Col Richee has just left the camp he is visiting all the Mass. Regs.           

 

Yours Truly

L Stephenson Jr

 

[endorsement]

 

Maj Stephenson

July 30 1862

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