Camp Tennally, Sept. 28, 1861
Dear Father:-
I seat myself to acknowledge yours dated September 18th. I received letters from William Gates and Celestia per the same mail which I will answer to-day or to-morrow.
I have but little news to write as nothing of importance has transpired since I last wrote. There are troops arriving everyday and an immense army is being concentrated here. It is thought that a mighty contest will take place in a few days or in a week or two at most. In the language of Genl. McCall, ”It will be a second Waterloo.”
It rained and stormed fiercely all day yesterday.
I believe I told you the Reserve Corps had been divided into three Brigades, one of which is temporarily commanded by Col. McCalmont. I believe it is generally understood that he will receive the permanent appointment of Brigadier General.
I am now employed as Secretary to the Assistant Adjutant Genl. of our Brigade, S. B. Smith. He was 1st Lieut. of our company when we left Meadville and a Tennessean. I am kept very busy at my table. I have to assist him in making out the morning reports of the Brigade, copy orders, etc., etc. I do not know how long I may be employed in this manner, perhaps for some time.
All the Rockland boys are well except Sam Ross, who is yet in the Hospital with Rheumatism. I saw some of the Richland boys who are encamped about a mile from us yesterday. They are all well and seemingly contented. Playing soldier has not yet lost its romance to them as they have not been here long enough to wear out the novelty.
The 1st Cavalry Regiment is encamped about a mile from us toward the Chain Bridge. McCllellan’s company of Venango boys is in it.[i]
Biddle’s ”Kane Rifle Regiment,” otherwise known as the ”Bucktails”, have come here from Western Virginia.[ii] This is the one that George Junkin is in. He was over to see us a few days since and looks stout and hearty.
I wrote you or Bingy last week. I must close, as the mail goes in a minute. I am so stiff in the fingers with the cold this morning that I can hardly write at all.
For the present, adieu. I am your affectionate son, James.
Next posting: September 30, 2011
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335
[i] Here Chadwick refers to a county to the south and west and adjacent to Crawford County. The county seat for Crawford County is Meadville; the seat for Venango County is the town of Franklin, PA.
[ii] There were several Pennsylvania units that called themselves “Bucktails” for their practice of appending deer tails to their hats. One of the most noted was the 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry, also known as the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves. It was recruited and organized by Thomas L. Kane, who chose the post of lieutenant colonel while appointing Charles J. Biddle as colonel in command.