Head Quarters 53d Regt. P. V. V.
Camp Near Shepards Grove, Va.,
Wednesday, Feb. 24th, 1864.
Messrs. Editors:–We should have written you ere this, but really we have not had the time. During our short visit home,
business accumulated to such an extent that it required the constant use of several pens to straighten matters.
The Regiment arrived here on the 6th inst.,–a three days journey from Harrisburg. The first thing done after our arrival
was to issue rations, of which there was a scarcity among the men. The camp was laid out, and the boys went to work with a
will to construct quarters. By this time we have things fixed up comfortably and in the best army style. It was the general
impression that on our reporting to Harrisburg at the expiration of the thirty day furlough, that the Regiment would be retained
in the State, for the purpose of recruiting our ranks to the maximum strength, but this presumption proved erroneous. A small
detail of two officers and ten enlisted men (one man from each company excepting “A”) was made for the purpose of recruiting
for the Regiment. On our arrival here, three more officers were detailed. Quite a number of recruits enlisted in the different
companies while we were home, and the aggregate of the Regiment is increased to nearly five hundred men. Our entire
regiment is now together. For one year previous to our re-enlistment Companies A, B, and K, were detached from the
Regiment and were doing Provost Guard duty at 2d Corps Head Quarters. Since these three companies have re-joined and with
the recruits received the Regiment makes a very respectable appearance on parade.
We arrived here just about twelve hours too late to participate in General Sedgwick’s reconnoisance across the
Rapidan. There is no news here of any moment. And it is somewhat difficult for us to collect sufficient subject matter for a
letter, occupying as we do, an isolated camp. Lieut. Col. McMichael is commanding the regiment. Out of thirty-one officers,
there are but twelve present with the regiment, the remainder are all on some ind of detached service. Col. Brown of the 145d
Pa. Vols. is commanding the Brigade. Col. McMichael is the next senior officer, and has several times been in command of the
Brigade during the temporary abasence of Col. Brown.
The great event of the day was the Grand Ball of the 2d Corps, that came off on the 23d inst. Quite a number of
notables were present, several Senators and members of Congress, Mr. Governor Curtin, Mrs. Governor Sprague of Rhode
Island and other distinguished ladies. Everything passed off with the usual eclat. As so many of the officers were absent from
their commands, it was deemed policy to re-enforce the picket–and that was the soldiers’ ball.
Yesterday there was a grand review of the 2d Corps–for the benefit of the ladies I presume–our Brigade did not
participate. I did not see the review, but I understand that the appearance and movements of the different battalions was superb
and reflected much credit on the officers and men.
The weather for the last few days has been beautiful and springlike, and if it continues so much longer we may expect
the preparatory orders to “hold ourselves in readiness” &c.
While in Harrisburg we received favors from Capt. Opdyke, the gentlemanly Provost Marshal of the Post, which we
are desirous of publicly acknowledging. Capt. Opdyke is a member of our Regiment, but for a year and half has been Provost
Marshal of Harrisburg, a position that has manifold and disagreeable duties, but which he has filled to the satisfaction of the
military and the citizens.
We append a list of names of the men of Company “A” that have re-enlisted for three years as Veteran Volunteers.
Charles L. Geiger, Tobias Schmearer,
Wm. H. Graham, James McFarling,
Wm. Penn Johnson, John Ayres,
John S. Weand, George Beard,
Evan Fryer, Josiah Godshall,
John Fryer, David Houck,
Eli K. Nagle, Isaac Spots,
Joseph Spang, Richard Gable,
John S. Heft, Jonas W. Burns,
George W. Rahn. Franklin Detwiler,
George W. Holt, Thomas Clark,
Samuel H. Campbell, David Hoffman,
Israel W. Jones, Benniville Harp,
David Robeson, Christian Lessig,
George W. Shingle, Enos D. Longenecker,
Jonas W. Bickhart. Levi J. Fritz.
The following enlisted in the Company on January last.
J. Latta Detwiler, John Henry Fryer,
Prestley Smith. Henry F. Fryer,
Francis Garber. Mahlon Engle,
Henry A. Holt.
[Montgomery Ledger, March 1, 1864]
