Beschreibung:

142 items. The soldiers of the 1st New York Infantry did more than fight one another, they were there to fight the Confederacy. This substantial collection of letters and documents gives shape to the history of the regiment from mustering in the first month of the war to mustering out after Chancellorsville. The earliest documents relate to the fundamental needs of recruiting and training and the responsibilities of commanding a regiment. During the fall 1861, Pierson was tasked with recruiting the regiment back to full strength and wrote to his brother Charley regarding the potential for finding new men in western New York: I must have you help me work. Can I get any men there -- Talk to people about it -- I will send some Placards. What I intend to do is to find some person in these places whose patriotism will allow them to help me. I will then put up some bills and direct inquiries to this person who I will provide with muster Rolls &c and as soon as he gets any men and forwards to me these Lists I will at once send Transportation... The collection also includes copies of Orders of the government of the police guard (rules for guard duty), 1861; regulations for fatigue duty; 1861; regimental orders of various sorts; petitions to repair or replace tents; and letters of interest and concern regarding promotions. There are, as well, more personal items such as accounts of funds spent on food (a fascinating record of what officers ate) and a list of men killed in Co. K during the war. But however well prepared the 1st New York was, the tensions that wracked the regiment were already apparent by winter of 1861-1862. Then Col. Garrett Dyckman wrote Pierson to inform him that he had a small rebellion on his hands: I have rec’d a very respectfully worded petition signed by 57 men of C Compy. requesting me transfer Lieut Leslie away from that Compy. in consequence of his apparent ignorance of drill and his unmilitary bearing and appearance. Wallace will send you a list of the deserters in New York to be given to the Head of the Police dept. Sergt Fortin I want particularly, in handcuffs if no other way... Things grew more serious by March 8, 1862, when Dyckman alerted Pierson that officers in their regiment were actively conspiring against them, giving unintentionally hilarious overtones to a deadly serious game: I occasionally receive a hint that the clique business is still flourishing in the Regt but it does not show itself to me. It appears as if Cl. Co. Bj. & Sil. Cannot come to an understanding in what manner they shall remove those above them or who shall fill the vacancies if removed therefore each appears to work on his own hook. The officers in the Regt who are against both of us are (I may as well write their names) Clancy, Coles, Yeamans (Silva against me), Bjorg, (Shaw against you) Hamilton (against you) Campbell (against me) Melville (against me) Hyde, & Carpenter, those not mentioned are either friends, or men of well balanced minds, who would think cliquing too contemptible a business for them to enter into... Much more. From here, the situation dissolved into farce. While the terrific battles of the Peninsular Campaign raged around them, the officers of the 1st took pot shots at one another. Dyckman placed an order of arrest for Maj. Clancy -- their principal, but not sole antagonist -- in July 17, 1862, and the collection also includes a copy of a Special Order issued by the President dismissing co-conspirators Capt. Francis Silva and Lieut. Charles Eypper from the service, Aug. 2, 1862; and a copy of a letter from Pierson to Sec. of War Stanton complaining --surprisingly enough -- about Dyckman, who was then commanding the brigade, leaving Pierson in charge of the regiment, dated Aug. 24, 1862. Pierson explained: At Yorktown he left the Regiment, and has not reported since, this not alone breaking his arrest, but he is at present a deserter. Major James S. Glancy [sic] was tried by General Court Martial on the 21