Letter from the Ninety-First (2 February 1862)

Date: 2 Feb 1862 to 2 Feb 1862
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

['Letter from the Ninety-first', Philadelphia Inquirer, Wednesday, 5 February 1862, p.2, col.3; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/167464797/ : accessed 26 December 2023).

'LETTER FROM THE NINETY-FIRST.'

'Correspondence of the Inquirer.'

'CAMP STANTON,'

'Near Washington, Feb, [sic] 2, 1862.'

'We broke camp on Darby Road, on Tuesday, January 21st, and took the cars for Baltimore, which city we reached about noon the next day. We took our dinners at the rooms of the "Union Relief Association," after which, we took the cars again for Washington, and arrived at the Capitol about half-past nine o'clock, P.M. the same day. We were there for a couple of days, when we went into camp.

'Our camp, which has been named after the new Secretary of War, is a most beautiful location. It is situated upon an eminence on the west bank of the east branch of the Potomac, about two miles from the Capitol; and standing upon the top of the hill one can view the surrounding country for miles. There are no less than fifteen or twenty different camps within sight, and occasionally you can hear the booming of cannon on the lower Potomac, which, explained, means that the Rebels are trying to prevent some of Uncle Sam's transports from passing.'

'Our boys generally are in good health, notwithstanding the weather, which, by the way, has been very wet and disagreeable.'

'A word now about our officers. Colonel E. M. GREGORY is kind to his men, but at the same time expects and requires a strict obedience to his orders. With a heart large enough to study the comfort of an entire regiment, and tender enough to feel with almost the same anguish the sufferings of his followers, he shrinks from no danger and fears to meet no foe, and more than all, he is a Christian. With such a leader the country may rest assured that if an opportunity is offered the Ninety-first Pennsylvania is bound to leave its mark.'

'Our Lieutenant-Colonel, E. E. WALLACE, and Major G. W. TODD, are two officers of whom too much cannot be said in their favor. Though comparatively young, they are old defenders of their country's flag. For the third time they have taken up their arms and come to its rescue. They followed the Star Spangled Banner through Mexico and brought it out triumphant, and when traitors trampled that banner beneath their feet, they again offered their services and went through the three months campaign as captains in the Scott Legion. At the end of that term they again buckled on their armor and we now have them with us.'

'The Adjutant [sc. Benjamin J Tayman] appears to be a general favorite. Being a strict military man, he expects and is bound to have everything transacted in military style. Any one who wishes to be convinced of this fact need only be in his tent about half an hour.'

'Our Quartermaster [sc. George W Eyre] possesses the confidence of the entire regiment. In providing rations and quarters he has, thus far, shown marked ability and skill.'

'DON QUIXOTE.'