Georgetown College Hospital
Georgetown, D. C., Sept.24, 1862
Dear Father:-
Having written a long letter to Mother last week, I have nothing of interest to write this time, yet I will keep up the habit of writing to you every week if I have nothing more to say than that I am well.
I did not expect to have been here so long as I had intended to go to the Division on Monday last, but I, with many others, am detained for the present from going to where our Divisions are by an order of “the powers that be.”
As there would be difficulty in finding the troops to which we belong in consequence of their continually moving, we are not allowed to go. However, we are liable to be ordered away any day. I am impatient to get back to my post and away from the Hospital for I’m perfectly tired of hospital life. I’ve” seen the elephant.”-— [1]
I have not heard anything from the 10th Regiment since I left them except that which I have seen in the daily papers. Lieut. Col. Warner was wounded in the hip. Capt. Over was also lightly wounded. I believe this was the first engagement in which Capt. O. has participated, Cochran generally having command of the company. The Philadelphia Inquirer of yesterday says that the 10th sustained a heavy loss but no list has been given as yet. I learn from a reliable source that Lieut. Howe of my company was seriously wounded in the breast. This leaves Co. I without a single officer—all of them being badly wounded. I saw Capt. Ayer the other day, he is at his uncle’s in the City—his wound was worse that at first supposed, the ball breaking the radius and lodging at the point of his left elbow. He has very good attention and will be able to go home on a leave of absence in a few days. Phelps, the 1st Lieut., shot through the right lung, has gone home as I wrote you before. My company which has borne on its rolls nearly a hundred names cannot muster more than fifteen men for duty. It seems to have suffered worse than any other company in the Regiment. Many have been killed in action, some have died of wounds, some of disease, a number are now in the hospitals sick or wounded, while several have been discharged on account of disability.
There are two new regiments of “Bucktails” now encamped near here. In one of which there are three companies from Crawford County. I am acquainted with many of the boys in them. Young [Henry S. ]Huidekoper is the Lieut. Col. of the regiment [150th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Corps]. There is a company also in it from Smethport. I made inquiry as to whether there were any in it whom I might know but I found there were none; although I have often heard you speak of some of the names—Colgrove, Otto, etc. There is also a company in it from Clarion County, commanded by Dr. Strattan. I happened to run against a nephew of J. W. Guthrie who belongs to the company. On telling him my name and residence, he asked if I was any relative of the “old Surveyor” and upon my telling him I was we soon struck up an acquaintance.
I had the good fortune to meet Sylvanus in the City yesterday. He had been there for the past week undergoing a medical examination before a Board of Surgeons. You know he has been the surgeon of the original Bucktail regiment since its organization, with the rank and pay of Major. He is making money and doing well—his pay is about $190 per month. He is being examined for Brigade Surgeon and if he passes the test is to be appointed on the Staff of Brigadier General Kane (formerly Col. Kane). His pay and rank will be the same but his duties will be less laborious. Sylvanus is an energetic, aspiring fellow and will do well in the world. He was at home and at Smethport not long since and reports all well. I inquired after Uncle Richard. Sylvanus says he is in very good health and that “the old man is sound on the war question.”
I hope I may get back to my regiment soon so that I may get your letters; but direct as usual to the regiment for I surely will be back before long. I can give you no news of the Rockland boys as I have heard nothing of them lately. I will close for to-day.
Yours affectionately, James D. Chadwick
Next posting: October 1, 2012
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335
[1] A popular phrase of the day, implying seeing something new and strange, such as the war or the hospital.