Headquarters 53d Regiment P. V.,
Camp Near Morrisville, Va.
Wednesday, Aug. 20th, 1863.
Messrs. Editors:–During the absence of Major Bull on special duty in Pennsylvania, Capt. Mintzer has been announced as the
Acting Provost Marshal of the 2d Corps. This is an important position, and one that the Capt. fills with ability and credit.
Yesterday Major General Warren relieved Brig.-Gen. Hays of the command of the 2d Corps.
Official notification has been received of the honorable discharge from the service of Lieut. John F. Potts, caused by
disability produced by a severe wound received at the Battle of Fredericksburg. The 53d is deeply sorry to part with him. An
excellent officer, a genial companion, and blessed with a heart in which selfishness is a stranger; he was the life of the
regiment. Brave in action his sword ever flashed in the front line of battle. Ardently loving his country–intensely hating treason
in all its forms–he twice shed his blood for the holy cause of Freedom and Union. Not while the 53d has one man left to
shoulder a musket will he be forgotten, and well we know that he will ever cherish as the noblest period of his life, the two
years of gallant service ‘neath the loved old battle torn flag of the 53d.
One of the coolest and most cleanly and comfortable camps in this transient city of canvas is that of the Provost Guard of
this Corps (Companies A, B, and K). The camp is in an airy position, and is formed of some fifty shelter tents, ranged in
regular order on each side of a wide avenue, or company parade ground. The entire camp is covered with an arbor, the top
of which is thickly strewn with pine poughs. This arbor is eighty feet front by one hundred and twenty feet deep; on the sides
are hung a number of green twigs with the “leafy branches drooping downwards.” It is one of the coolest places we have been
able to find here during the “heated term.” In Company A, the following promotions have been made: Serg’t. Charles Geiger,
to be 1st Sergeant, vice Clark, Corpl. Wm. H. Graham, to be Sergeant, vice Geiger, promoted. Capt. Theo. Hatfield, and Lieuts.
Whitaker and Mann, that were slightly wounded at Gettysburg, have recently rejoined the regiment. Their wounds, though
not exactly all right yet, permit them to resume their duties. All of our wounded men seem to be getting along very well. Lieut.
George D. Pifer, of Bellefonte, Pa., was badly wounded in the face; lately we have received the very best evidence in the world
that he is getting along splendidly–a notice of his marriage. This is no doubt a very agreeable way to cure wounds, but, we believe,
it is not recognized by the Medical faculty. However if she is willing and he is willing it is no body’s business; the Union must be
preserved at Bellefonte as well as in Dixie. When we consider that his wound is in the cheek the question arises–how can he put a
good face on the matter. Lieut. Thomas Raifsnyder has been discharged on Surgeon’s certificate of disability.
Ever since our arrival in the present camp, quite an extensive trade has been carried on between soldiers and officers
of the army and families living in juxtaposition to our camps. Coffee, sugar, and salt, are the principle articles of trade, as the
Geography says, the rebel families preferring it to money, for obvious reasons. Most of this contraband trade, for it was nothing
else, went to supply the tables at the various headquarters with vegetables, &c. So much coffee, &c., was sold by commissaries
to supply this trade that in some cases the troops suffered for the want of them, especially in the article of salt. Some of the
families near our lines have accumulated a heavy weight of coffee, salt and sugar, for the purpose of turning over to the rebel
army as soon as it can be done. General Meade has now peremptorily forbidden these means of giving aid and comfort to the
enemy.
The drafted militia are coming in pretty freely. A few days ago eight hundred arrived at Corps Headquarters to be
assigned to the 19th Maine regiment. They were all substitutes except eighty odd. Last night another installment of two
hundred arrived for a Massachusetts regiment. Physically they are fine men.
On Saturday last three of the veteran regiments of the army left for home on a sixty day furlough. The 1st Minnesota,
7th Michigan and 4th Ohio. These regiments have done much and noble service for their country. The 1st Minnesota was in the
first Bull Run battle. They came out with twelve hundred men–they go home with eighty-four; need we say any thing further.
The whole Division was drawn up in line, and as the heroes of many battles marched pass on their way to the railroad station,
the troops, the colors saluted, and the entire line presented arms. The bands, all the time they were passing the line of the
Division playing “Bully for them.” The boys altering the words of the song as follows:
“The 7th Michigan’s going home,
Bully for them, bully for them,
The 1st Minnesota is coming on,
Bully for them, bully for them,
The 4th Ohio will come along,
Bully for them–for them–for them.”
This is about all of the current events–of course, we may more sooner or later; but it depends on circumstances, like
nearly everything else. When the move does come off, we can assure you that we heard from a “reliable source” as the
reporters say, that we will either move forward, to the rear or on the flanks.–This can be relied on.
We anticipate the promulgation of the following order “what is an order,” by giving it publicity at the present writing.
Headquarters 759th Corps de Armfull
Near Three Cornered Square, China,
August 47th, 7042, B. C.
Special Order, A , No. 1
1. The Corporal commanding again calls the attention of intermediate commanders to the enormous quantity of
whiskey drank in this Corps. Hereafter too much whiskey will be severely “smiled” at. See Revised Army Regulations, Par. 42
721. The following is promulgated of all concerned:
Number of Drunks Allowed Officers and Men.
A Major-General, can be drunk all the time.
A Brig.-General, six days in the week.
A Colonel (Regular), five days in a week.
A Colonel (Volunteer), four days in a week.
A Lieut.-Col., three and a half days per week.
A Captain, two days in a week.
A 1st Lieut., one day in a week.
A 2d Lieut., two-thirds drunk every Saturday.
A Non-commissioned officer, an occasional smell.
A private, 0, 0, 0.
The strength of the ardent will depend on the rank of the officer. Extra drinks permitted when about to meet the
enemy. Only officers of the regular army permitted to commence the day’s drunk before breakfast.
2. As the Southern heart has already been too much “fired” by bad whiskey and gunpowder, it
is ordered that in future the rebels receive nothing but mead; doses of which will be carefully
administered at every favorable opportunity.
3. During the summer season, in order to promote the health and stamina of the troops, it is ordered that all officers
and men keep cool. Any infringement of this order will be forthwith reported to the nearest ice cream saloon.
4. To expedite the movements of troops on the march, hereafter, every officer and enlisted man will be furnished with
a through ticket on some well-regulated railroad. Exchange tickets of city passenger Railways will not be recognized. Change
of cars only permitted when there is a change of base. Baggage checked before it goes through.
5. Soldiers will not be permitted after this date to dry their “washing” on the picket line.
By order of Corporal Star,
Commanding Corps.
Spangled Banner, A. A. Gen.
[Montgomery Ledger, August 25, 1863]
