As we’ve continued with our new Letters from War: 1861 series, we’ve gotten the chance to meet a few of the correspondents sharing their early war-time thoughts as the Civil War began in April 1861. 

While the letters we’ve shared so far share perspectives of what it was like to join the military and the fervor of the public as they marched off to war from Pennsylvania’s Coal Region, they have had little to share about what these soldiers thought about the cause in which they had offered to risk their lives.

This letter from Hugh R. Crawford, written inside the Pennsylvania State Capitol in the conflict’s earliest days of the Civil War in April 1861, gets to the motivations of a soldier who joined Company H, 8th Pennsylvania. He wrote to motivate his friends in the Pittston Excelsior Debating Club back in Pittston, and described the reasons he felt his country needed their service. 

From the Pittston Gazette, May, 2, 1861

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Letter from a Volunteer to the Members of the Pittston Excelsior Debating Club.

Transcriber’s Office, Senate Chamber, Harrisburg, Sunday, April 20.

Fellow Members of Excelsior: — I promised to a few of your members when I parted from them on Thursday of last week, that I would let you hear from me. I write to you not that I have any news in particular, but to let you know that I arrived safely with our company, on Saturday of last week. We are in good health, and fine spirits. The name of our company is the “Scranton Union Volunteers.” We number 95 rank and file — just as good a set of men as ever left old Luzerne.

We had a very pleasant ride to this place, at every station on the route, we were greeted with the booming of cannon, and the good cheer of Union loving men and women. Dear friends, we are engaged in a good cause — the support of one of the best Governments on earth. Our country needs the aid of every young man, in this, its hour of need. 

It is indeed, a serious matter to go forth to battle against our brothers of the South; but in my judgment it is a holy duty. We have borne with them till forbearance ceases to be a virtue, — they have despised all our counsels, and admonitions — they have laid violent hands on our property — they have nullified our most sacred compacts, and they have insulted and torn from the ramparts of a fortress, our loved and world respected “Stars and Stripes.” 

That flag that has been carried to countless victories in the wars of peace and civilization, and under whose ample folds, and glittering stars, millions still offer their services, their honor and their lives, has been trailed in the dust, and trampled with the eleven feet of anarchy and secession. 

It now remains with us to stand by our government, to do our duty manfully, and with God and Truth on our side, that banner under which a Washington triumphed, will again freely wave over every inch of land in our loved country.

Fellow members! your country needs the aid of every man of you, respond like men, and defend your rights and liberties. It is hard to leave friends, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and sweethearts, and it is natural that it should be so, but come forward bravely, cheerfully and manfully, and forever strangle our common enemy, and all will yet be well.

As I write 2200 men have just arrived from Ohio, there is now over 12,000 soldiers in town. 4000 left last night for Baltimore. It is rumored that our company goes to Georgia, as soon as possible.

I may never see you all again, in old Pittston. Meet me on the field of battle, and with God on our side, and Excelsior as our motto, we will surely march to victory. I hope, however, to be with you in September, if not, may we all at last, gather around one great centre, and live forever in a better country.

I remain as ever, your sincere friend and well-wisher,

Hugh R. Crawford.

P. S. There is over 8,000 of us living in camp. – H. R. C.

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Hugh R. Crawford was 19-years-old when he joined Company H, 8th Pennsylvania in April 1861. He was born in the town of Cumnock, Scotland in June 1841. He emigrated to Scranton, PA in the years before the Civil War and was working as a machinist when he enlisted in the United States Army in the fight for his adopted country.

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Read the previous letter from the Letters from War: 1861 series.

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This is part of an ongoing series called “Letters from War: 1861” that will share correspondence written on the front lines during the turbulent first year of the Civil War.

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