In the spring of 1861, the men of the Ringgold Infantry Company of Minersville, PA had traded the coal mining communities of Schuylkill County for the unfinished streets of Washington, DC.
Mustered into federal service as Company I of the 5th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, they were among the first wave of Union soldiers to reach the capital in the anxious weeks after Fort Sumter – sleeping on bare floors, waiting on uniforms, and wondering when the fighting would begin.
One of the men – signing himself only “A Ringgold from Minersville” – took pen in hand on May 5, 1861 and wrote to the editors of the Miners’ Journal in Pottsville. His letter offers a ground-level view of soldier life in the early weeks of the Civil War: the scramble for provisions, the arrival of hay for the bunks, the sound of a fiddle stirring up the barracks at night. It captures the sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and emotions of those early, chaotic days of war.
From the Miners’ Journal of Pottsville, May 11, 1861
Letters from Our Volunteers.
[For the Miners’ Journal.]
From the Ringgold Rifle Co. of Minersville.
Washington, May 5, 1861.
Mr. Editor: — At the request of a number of the volunteers from Schuylkill county, I am induced to submit a few lines from the quarters of the 5th Regiment, P. V., and if you see fit to give room, I know that many of your readers in Minersville will be satisfied.
Doubtless you have already published the march of the 5th to Washington, therefore it would be unnecessary to repeat; but since our arrival here, we have been better able to compare notes, and report what has thus far taken place, as well as give information regarding our treatment, &c.
To commence at our arrival. Once out of the cars, and an hour or more of patient waiting, we were at length ordered to move. The whole Regiment were accordingly marched off, and by some error were conducted to the Capitol, from whence we were countermarched and ordered to take up quarters in the Inaugural Ball Room, which, as you are aware, was merely intended as a temporary concern.
Sleep on the bare floor was delightfully refreshing, and on Sunday morning each man felt himself able to undertake as much as had already been gone through. During the day, our able representative, Hon. Jas. H. Campbell, paid us a visit, and it required but a few minutes for all hands to crowd around to get a glimpse of, or take him by the hand.
But we were all destined to feel the effects of want of knowledge on the part of the Regimental commissary or rather Quartermaster. One day (Tuesday, I believe it was), provisions were very slim in the Regiment and all faces were dark. I do not believe that even the words of “letters from home” would have caused brightness.
A little report to superiors improved matters wonderfully, and ever since, when roast beef is sounded, there is a certainty of having superior beef in some shape or form; and an occasional sprinkling of beans and rice added, creates additional appetite. We may now say that we live comfortably, though how long it will last can only be judged by our stay here.
The Ringgold Rifle Company of Minersville — now company I — can boast of having among them a good cook. This is no other than the cook of mess 5. His name — Jos. Wythes — is familiar to many, and the way he does up the extra dishes would be enough to make a “stay-at-home” wish himself along and one of the fortunate No. 5. Even a common meal becomes a delicacy, to say nothing about extras.
All hands are in the enjoyment of good health. A few have been slightly indisposed; but when the fact is considered that many never saw beyond their mountain home, this is not to be wondered at. I had anticipated that many would indeed break down completely.
Our company — I — is composed almost wholly of young men. They are also orderly, and I can safely assert that they are more so than any other in the 5th.
On Friday the arrival of hay for the “bunks” was greeted by shouts of pleasure on all sides, and the bales were no sooner opened and divided, than the “bunks” were filled with men anxious to lie soft once again.
The weather has been very disagreeable for two or three days past; a cold penetrating rain and wind making the whole place damp — uncomfortably so.
Another familiar spirit of Minersville has already become such in the Regiment. Neal McClay — the pet of everybody — has procured a violin, and the sound of catgut has stirred up the musical soul of all. Songs are now the order of the day — or rather more so for night — and an occasional dance reminds me very strongly of the descriptions of the French in the Crimea.
We have now an inkling of the style of uniform we are to have. I will attempt to describe it: The coat is not much more than a round jacket, though it might be more properly called a cross between the round jacket and blouse; the stuff is a dark blue woolen fabric — the make-up is for comfort and is very suitable for men who have ever been accustomed to work in loose clothes.
The pants are light grey, with a cord of blue along the seam. The overcoats, which, it is said, will arrive in a few days, are made of the same material as the pants, and will be of the same pattern as that of the regular service. To-morrow we have the promise of part of the uniform — pants, coat and cap.
Restraint is something new for the majority of the boys, and yet the freedom is large compared to what it is in the regular service. I suppose after the button is once on, we will be more like soldiers than at present.
The Washington papers have been very loud in their praises of the different N. Y. Regiments, and particularly so of the 7th. These Sunday soldiers may do very well for drilling to go to church, but when it comes down to the fighting point, there are none who can excel the “flat-footed, raw militia of Pennsylvania,” as we have been styled by some of the Washington papers.
Divine service has been held to-day in our quarters for the second time since we are here, and by the attention paid, I am satisfied all were impressed with the solemnity of the occasion.
Harry Reese, the officers’ cook, has been dubbed “the Colonel,” but for what reason I am not able to tell, unless it is his good looks.
About the other three companies from Schuylkill in this Regiment I cannot say much. We are like separate families, and therefore one does not know of the internal arrangement of the other. This much, however, I know, that all enjoy health — are anxious, as we are, to get on the uniform and then to engage an enemy.
If our friends would send more newspapers, we could be better posted in local matters, a thing those at home think of little importance, but of great interest to those away from there.
The President, accompanied by Secretary Seward, visited our Regimental quarters on Monday last. Their appearance was greeted with tremendous cheering, which lasted until they left. All the companies were formed and each was visited in succession, though they did not take time to shake hands all round. Each spoke a few words of encouragement. They also visited several other regiments.
The sanitary squad have been set to work under the superintendance of Dr. R. Shell, for the purpose of draining the water from around and beneath the building we occupy. A timely piece of work indeed, for “preventative is better than cure.”
A Ringgold from Minersville.
☞ We will always be happy to hear from the writer of the above letter.
Read the previous letter from the Letters from War: 1861 series.
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