Near Bell Plain, Virginia,
January 8, 1863
Dear Father:-
Yours and Bingham’s of December 30th have been received. Nothing of importance has transpired here since my last writing. The weather is fine—but little rain so far though the nights are quite cold and the ground is frozen and wagons run well.
It has been rumored, and in ”high official circles”, too, that the Pennsylvania Reserves are to be sent either back into the state of Pennsylvania to rest and recruit or to Washington to do guard duty, but this is not at all certain. All are jubilant over the news of [Major General William S.] Rosecrans’ victory in the West.[1] I see that the 78thPa. Vols. (the regiment that John Lusher and Henry Smith are in), is especially mentioned for its bravery.
You ask whether we will be mustered out at the end of three years—I certainly think so—we were sworn to serve three years or during the war unless sooner discharged; i.e., if the war should not last three years, we are to be discharged at its expiration, but not to be kept longer than three years. This was the interpretation of the oath as given by the mustering officer, for I heard him say so myself when we were sworn in. If we do as much more fighting as we have done, there will be nobody to muster out at the end of the time. I have produced a roll of my own company, showing the name of every man who has ever been connected with it, what has become of them and where they are. It is indeed a sad, sad record. I will send it to you before long.[2]
Lieut. Phelps has resigned and gone home on account of his wound.
Jo. Ross has not yet returned to the regiment.
I have been very busy for the past week or two and will be so for some time to come making out the returns for the quarter ending December 31, 1862. I have not time to write more at this time. When I get time I will write you a longer letter.
Hoping to hear from you, also the boys and mother, I will close.
Your affectionate son,
J. D. Chadwick
Next posting: January 15, 2063
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335
[1] The costly Union victory at Stones River.
[2] This record itself did not survive. While historians tend to rely on S. P. Bates’s listing of volunteers, he admitted to difficulty in compiling a completely accurate account. For some of the discrepancies between various listings of the members of Company I, see Helmreich, The Flag of the Allegheny College Volunteers, 16-17.