As September drew to a close in the nation’s capital, Sergeant Charles Cyphers wrote home to his former employers at the Pittston Gazette. He had sent the paper numerous letters during his three months’ service in the 8th Pennsylvania Infantry before returning home to Luzerne County.

When the 52nd Pennsylvania was being formed from companies of men across the Coal Region and Northeastern Pennsylvania, Cyphers sought to join, but his company failed to reach the strength required to enter a regiment intact. His small detachment was broken up at Harrisburg, and he left Camp Curtin with fellow veterans of the 8th, intending to travel to Washington, D.C., and join a regiment there.

They moved as a small group through Baltimore and on to Washington, where they joined Company L, 23rd Pennsylvania, a regiment known as Birney’s Zouaves, among the units that marched to war in brightly colored uniforms modeled on those of French colonial troops.

Cyphers and his friends became part of a company recruited by Captain Butler Dilley in Luzerne County, and Cyphers took a sergeant’s stripes.

His letter to the Gazette described the journey and his brief time in Washington, seeing the sights and the military affairs near Camp Graham, on a rise above the city about four miles from the Capitol.

From the Pittston Gazette, October 10, 1861

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Letter from Washington.

CAMP “GRAHAM,”

WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 30, 1861.

MESSRS. EDITORS: A little over six weeks ago I left your prosperous and thriving town for Harrisburg, with the intention of joining the Luzerne Regiment, then being formed under command of Col. Dodge. My journey was every way pleasant and agreeable. The company with which I had enlisted, on its arrival at the Capital, was marched out to Camp Curtin by those in charge, where we were furnished with tents, blankets, cooking utensils, etc. Here it was intended we should remain until the company filled up. We numbered but thirty-five men at that time. Three weeks passed, and we numbered but fifteen.

The company was then broken up, and I left Camp Curtin. On Tuesday, Sept. 10th, in company with some of my comrades of the 8th Regiment (in the three month’s service), I left Harrisburg for Washington, via Baltimore. In the Monumental City we were greeted with cheers for the Union, waving of flags, &c. I heard no cheering for Jeff. Davis. No disturbances occurred. Arrived in Washington at 7 o’clock in the morning. We first satisfied our hunger by taking a lunch at a saloon, and then a stroll about town to see the “sights,” after which we went into Camp Birney, so named in honor of the Colonel of the 23d Reg. P. V., and enlisted in Capt. Dilley’s company—Wm. Ellis 1st Lieut., and J. Taylor 2d Lieut.—Capt. Dilley recruited his company in Luzerne, consequently we found many familiar faces among those who crowded around to welcome our entry into their midst.

Two days after our arrival the camp was broken up and moved to our present camping ground, two miles east of the City. We are at work on a hill, felling trees and clearing off brushwood and making preparations to erect batteries. There are three batteries in the vicinity of our camp, already completed and armed.

Gen. McClellan visited the camp last week. He appeared to be much pleased with Col. Birney’s Zouaves, who passed in review before him. It was announced, shortly after the General’s departure, that the 23d was under marching orders, and would probably be sent to Missouri.

Occasionally we hear the booming of heavy guns across the Potomac and in the direction of Arlington Hights. Last week I visited the “Soldier’s Home,” an asylum for old soldiers. From the tower of the main building I got a splendid view of the country for miles around. Arlington Hights and Munson Hill can be seen, dotted with tents, batteries, &c. The Potomac and Washington City are directly before you. The City appears to be completely surrounded by soldiers and encampments. To the right and left can be seen the Chain Bridge and Bladensburg.

It is not necessary for me to say anything about the operations of our troops around Washington, for probably you already know more than I can tell you of their movements. The army, it is estimated, in the several divisions will number over 300,000 men. The drill and organization of the troops are going on finely, and from present appearances everything works in favor of Gen. McClellan’s prediction, that “we shall have no more Bull Run affairs.”

Remember me to friends. A letter or paper directed to Col. Birney’s Zouaves, Company L, 23d Reg., Washington, D. C., will come direct. I will write occasionally, and keep you informed of our movements and whereabouts.

I remain yours, &c.,

CHAS. M. CYPHERS.

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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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