Battling Drunken Soldiers Before Ever Meeting The Foe

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2019

War-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Mathew Halpin, [POW Second Bull Run, Va., 8/29/62], Co. K, 22nd New York Vols., Albany, [N. Y.], May 20, [1861], to his friend Albert A. Fletcher, reading, in part: "…we now board [in] one of the best hotels in the city, the Empire house, while the other companies board at the Adam's house and get rats and mice amongst the beans and soup. It is true we boarded there a week…but most of the men refused to eat the beans or drink the coffee and some went so far as to leave the company. Amongst the later was one Darius Tickney who got 4 dollars from the captain to substitute among the men with which he paid his way to Port Henry, [New York]. We have formed a regiment and elected our field officers. Our colonels name is [Walter] Phelps [future BBG]…we shall organize in Troy…Col. Thomson's [George W. B. Tompkins 82nd New York] regiment left here on Saturday amongst the cheers and shouting of great enthusiasm. When they hove to the wharf for the last time to bid farewell to their friends and kindred, in place of…shaking hands and kissing they passed bottle of liquor in abundance to the soldiers. One poor cuss who got a bottle jumped overboard while the boat was in motion and took to swimming to shore but was quickly picked up in a small boat and brought back a prisoner. I stood guard…with orders not to let anyone pass in or out. Several came and asked but were refused…about 11 a drunken man came and tried to pass. I refused him. The next I knew he caught hold of my musket and tried to wrench it from me bet fell…after a short struggle when he got on his feet. I swore if he came within bayonet PondI would run him through. He did not mind a word of what I said, but came right up full determined to gain possession of my gun when my partner punched him in the side of the head with the breach of his gun and knocked him over. When he got on his feet next time he was perfectly sober…he begged we would not tell the captain of any of his officers. We promised we would not if he behaved himself which he did very well. Direct to Mathew Halpin…". VG

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