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 __**Primary Sources for the 71st New York State Militia**__
+----
+//Brooklyn Times Union//, May 2, 1861
+Our War Correspondence.
+HEAD QUARTERS, 71ST REGIMENT,\\
+Washington Navy Yard, D.C., April 29 '61.
+TO THE EDITOR OF THE BROOKLYN DAILY TIMES:
+SIR:—A copy of your paper having been sent to a volunteer of Company H, 71st regiment, containing a list of the volunteers, and thinking you are doing an injustice to some of the older members by omitting their names, I herewith hand you a true roll.
+First on the list, are George W. Smith and Mancelia F. Rall, who signed the roll of company H. on the 10th of March 1857, and were on duty during the "Dead Rabbit Riot." George H. Van Pelt, Olney Van Valkenburgh, and Edward E. Sweet, next on the roll, all who have seen services in the Sepoy war at Quarantine. Richard P. Strong, William H. Leayeratt, George O. Smith Jr, Samuel S. Sweet, Theodore C. Wallace, Alexander Grocer, Nelson Giles, J. F. Johnston, John Meserole, J. W. Vanderoff, Charles M. Wemmer, John Merkel, Wallace Gott, Robert Welch, Edward Hunt, and James Warner. Drummer Richard H. Hinson, of company D, same regiment; Horace Rugg, company E, Milton Hewens and George H. Porter, formerly orderly, now acting lieutenant of recruits; ensign Searles. Not wishing to trespass too much on your valuable paper I will give you a condensed report of the trip to Washington. The regiment embarked on board the steamship R. R. Cuyler Sunday afternoon, and headed for sea. We numbered one thousand men and accommodations for 200. Those that were not fortunate in getting a berth in the stateroom, or a bunk in the steerage, were obliged to sleep on the floor or on deck. The majority of the men were sea sick for two days, provision scarce, men on short allowances. Our rations were two biscuits and salt meat, occasionally [...] coffee, twice a day. Arrived at Annapolis Thursday. a. m. Men very weak for the want of good wholesome food, particularly those that were  sick. Friday, 3 1/2 o'clock, a. m., regimental line formed, blankets rolled on knapsacks for a forced march. Very warm day. Rest-step, without music. After marching 10 miles in sand, ankle deep, we came to a halt for rations, which consisted of two biscuits. After resting an hour, we took up our line of march for Annapolis Junction. On the march till 6 o'clock; halted for rations — Two biscuits and salt junk. There is a battalion of Secessionists drilling half a mile from us; and from all reports, anticipate an attack. The regiment prepared, formed square, and remained in his position for an hour. In good spirit, and anxious for a fight, particularly the volunteers, who are continually growling for a brush with somebody. At o'clock, p.m., slung knapsacks. On the march—2 out step. One of the companies detailed as skirmishers a quarter mile in advance of the regiment, with a bugle. Exciting march. The regiment advances, and halt by the sound of the bugle, Twelve o'clock p.m., still on the march. Men fatigued, marching through swamps, water ankle deep, and and six inches deep, and as heavy as lead. Two o'clock, a. m., still on the march, six miles to the Junction. In want of water, none to be obtained. Very long miles, particularly the three last. Arrived at Annapolis Junction 5 o'clock a. m. Men worn out but unwilling to acknowledge it. On the march one night and day with packed knapsacks and blankets rolled. Distance 35 miles and four biscuits, 2 at each ration, Company H quartered in a railroad car, half filled with rail irons. Unslung knapsack, (which weighed on an average 20 pounds when left home, now about two tons.) spread blankets and made the best of the morning, part of the Regiment sleeping on the grass. The secessionists have torn up part of the track from here to Washington, and a detail with Captain Miller started early to protect the road. Two o'clock Saturday a. m., started for Washington in the cars, without a sick or disabled man. The writer of this has given you the facts without exaggeration, and the Regiment to a man are willing to endure the fatigue and march to-morrow if necessary.
+Your paper created quite a sensation when received here. The Williamsburghers are anxious for you to transmit a few of your papers to be read by the members. An old resident of Williamsburgh, Horatio Lord Nelson Ellison is with the 'Burghers to look after them, in case they are wounded or disabled. Yours respectfully,
+GEO. W. SMITH\\
+Co. H, 71st Regiment.
+{{:71st_nysm:brooklyn_times_union_thu_may_2_1861.jpg?linkonly|}}
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 We at last took train for Washington, but were forced to proceed at a very slow rate for safety. It took two hours to reach the city.
-On arriving we wore quartered in a part of the inauguration ball room, but were soon moved to the Navy Yard, a very important post. The yard, like all others is kept very neat; We have a part of the pattern loft (that is to say Co, D has) for quarters.
+On arriving we were quartered in a part of the inauguration ball room, but were soon moved to the Navy Yard, a very important post. The yard, like all others is kept very neat; We have a part of the pattern loft (that is to say Co, D has) for quarters.
  Everything is quiet, no rumors of battles, but a greater feeling of security among the citizens than has been for some time.
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 <p>Yesterday afternoon, through the courtesy of Colonel Stone, the efficient commander in charge of the Washington Branch railroad, we were permitted to make a trip out to the Annapolis Junction, on the special train sent out for the New York Seventy-first Regiment. The train consisted of sixteen large cars, and carried out the Northern mail, a number of iron rails for replacing any that might have been torn up, and several barrels of bread, crackers, sugar, &amp;c., together with a large amount of salt meat for the troops now daily arriving at the Junction. Leaving the depot about 4 1/2 p. m., with a rifleman upon the locomotive, we steamed out toward the secession region at a rapid rate. Everything was all right along the whole route, and there was nothing to betoken any hostile designs either upon the railroad or the troops. Just beyond Bladensburg we passed the first guard stationed to protect the road, and from there to the junction we were but little of the time out of sight of the gleaming bayonets of Uncle Sam's protectors. The guards seemed to be enjoying themselves hugely, and had fixed up neat little booths to protect them from the sun and the dew ; while as we darted over the streams we caught glimpses of some of the chaps who had gone down to bathe, and were having a jolly time paddling in the clear water. Having watered our steam horse at Beltsville, and given a cheer for a couple of loyal sprigs of Young America who lustily waved diminutive gridirons from the fence as we darted by, we soon fetched up at the Junction, where were awaiting the Seventy-first Regiment of Now York, a Pennsylvania regiment, and five companies of the Massachusetts Fifth Regiment.</p>
-<p>The Seventy-first, with their regimental band, filed up to the train, and in a twinkling deposited themselves and their baggage therein. Nothing could be more interesting than the scene toward midnight. About the train all was quiet and still, save the measured tread of the sentries ; the camp fires of the other regiments flared fitfully up in the gloom of the forest; the plaintive notes of the whippowil rang out sweet and clear, mingling with the subdued laugh around the fires ; while now and then a 'signal rocket from the enemy would stream up into the sky from the adjacent hills, and falling in a glittering shower, vanish in the darkness. About 2 o'clock there was a sudden concussion, then a tremor along the train, and with a jerk that threw everybody endways, the boys woke to the pleasurable consciousness of feeling the train in. motion. This, however, proved to be nothing more than backing on to the switch ; and all hands settled down to Bleep until, just no the first purple blush of day dawned over the tree tops, the remainder of the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment fined in, and away we steamed for Washington. As we came down the track, the guards were relieved, filling up the platforms and the tops of some of the ears, and all reported right except in one place, where the guard had found, a few moments before, a heavy rail and a large pile of stones placed upon the track. AS we neared the city, hate and handkerchiefs were raised by early risers.</p>
+<p>The Seventy-first, with their regimental band, filed up to the train, and in a twinkling deposited themselves and their baggage therein. Nothing could be more interesting than the scene toward midnight. About the train all was quiet and still, save the measured tread of the sentries ; the camp fires of the other regiments flared fitfully up in the gloom of the forest; the plaintive notes of the whippowil rang out sweet and clear, mingling with the subdued laugh around the fires ; while now and then a 'signal rocket from the enemy would stream up into the sky from the adjacent hills, and falling in a glittering shower, vanish in the darkness. About 2 o'clock there was a sudden concussion, then a tremor along the train, and with a jerk that threw everybody endways, the boys woke to the pleasurable consciousness of feeling the train in. motion. This, however, proved to be nothing more than backing on to the switch ; and all hands settled down to Bleep until, just no the first purple blush of day dawned over the tree tops, the remainder of the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment fined in, and away we steamed for Washington. As we came down the track, the guards were relieved, filling up the platforms and the tops of some of the ears, and all reported right except in one place, where the guard had found, a few moments before, a heavy rail and a large pile of stones placed upon the track. As we neared the city, hate and handkerchiefs were raised by early risers.</p>
-<p>The Seventy-first expected to have to cut their way through Maryland to the capital, and the first night took every precaution to guard against surprise. The front, middle and rear ranks each carried with them a bugle, with which to sound an alarm, and scouts wore kept out in front, at the sides and in rear. Nothing occurred to interfere with their march, and their felt night was spent perfectly at ease. They express great pleasure at the friendly treatment received from </p>
+<p>The Seventy-first expected to have to cut their way through Maryland to the capital, and the first night took every precaution to guard against surprise. The front, middle and rear ranks each carried with them a bugle, with which to sound an alarm, and scouts were kept out in front, at the sides and in rear. Nothing occurred to interfere with their march, and their felt night was spent perfectly at ease. They express great pleasure at the friendly treatment received from </p>
 <p>the people of Maryland, and believe if their motives in coming to Washington were fully understood, they could march through Baltimore unmolested.</p>
 <p>The men are fine-looking specimens of the American soldier, their uniforms neat and clean, their deportment unexceptionable, and their powers of endurance admirable. They marched all the way from Annapolis to the Junction on two biscuits apiece, and only had two more for their supper yesterday when they got there ; and yet there was not, a murmur heard in the ranks, and when the halt was ordered, and the roll called, not a man was found to be missing. No stragglers or sick had to be waited for. This is an almost unprecedented exploit.</p>