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units:5th_new_york_state_militia_sources
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Primary Sources for the 5th New York State Militia
Figure 1: ny_evening_post._may_03_1861
Middletown Whig Press, May 7, 1861
Army Life—the 5th Regiment.
We are favored with the following letter for publication, from Asst. Surgeon D, B. St. JOHN ROOSA, of the 5th Regiment of New York Volunteers. It will be found interesting as giving an insight into Camp Life:
ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION,
20 miles from Annapolis
Saturday, May 4th, 1861
Dean Father:—We came Here from Annapolis on Friday a. m., at about ten o'clock, having staid in Annapolis all day. Some of us getting some oysters to eat, some getting nothing. Annapolis is somewhat depopulated: those people who remain are, if I may except the merchants, sullen and quiet. Not an American flag is to be seen in the town, although it floats proudly from the Navy Yard, where are stationed about 5,000 troops from New York and Pennsylvania. Order is beginning to come from chaos; but never have I witnessed such disorder as was seen in the arrangements at Annapolis; no one in command, and every one assuming to be. The troops, however, are in good condition, with plenty to eat, though not all of them clad in the best manner. The Engineers are at work laying out fortifications, and soon they hope to have the town secure from attack.
This Junction has two houses, and here and there a farm house. We have possession of one, which the inhabitants gutted of furniture and left. Our Regiment is in good order, very little sickness, though men are camping in the open air, with rain for last thirty-six hours. No breaches of peace are committed. Everything obtained from the people is paid for; though not always the prices they ask, which are exhorbitant. Depend upon it, the people whom we see here are Secessionists at heart, but we see mostly the low class, and they are the most degraded, shiftless class I ever saw. The men of position and means are Government men, Our men are detained on the road to watch it, between here and Annapolis. The Surgeon goes down to-night to look over the men. I shall be detailed next. We have enough to do to keep us busy. How long we shall stay here we don't know; until relieved by an advancing Regiment.
The Zouaves of N. Y. committed some excesses while here and at Annapolis, and are acting still worse at Washington, The 5th Regiment is as quiet a body of men as I ever saw; we have had no drunkenness, no drollery of any kind, I met some friends at Annapolis, and continue to here, as communication is now fully established between here and Washington. I am well, and in good spirits, though I must confess to very little idea of a soldier's life. It is duty I am doing, and that consciousness sustains me, Your affectionate son, D. B. ST. JOHN ROOSA.
middletown-whig-press-may-07-1861-p-2.jpg
Figure 2: new_york_daily_herald_tue_may_7_1861
Valley Spirit, May 8, 1861
From Annapolis.
ANNAPOLIS, May 2.
One company of Rhode Island artillery and the Fifth New York regiment have arrived, but are not yet landed
valley_spirit_wed_may_8_1861.jpg
Figure 3: evening_star_mon_may_13_1861
units/5th_new_york_state_militia_sources.1558618351.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/05/23 13:32 by admin