“Camp life for a few weeks has been exceedingly monotonous,” wrote a member of Company F, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves to Mifflin Hannum, the editor of Wilkes-Barre’s Luzerne Union newspaper.

Writing under the penname “Shoulder Arms,” this correspondent took up his pen to describe life in the United States Army camps on the Potomac River north of Washington, DC. The Pennsylvania Reserves was a division of Pennsylvania regiments recruited in the spring and summer of 1861. The Wyoming Bank Infantry company was assembled by Elisha B. Harvey in Luzerne County in May 1861 and moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania to join other companies as the Pennsylvania Reserves were formed.

Read the fascinating origin story of the Wyoming Bank Infantry here

The Wyoming Bank company became Company F, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves under Captain Legrand Speece. Elisha B. Harvey took command of the entire 7th regiment as colonel. In July, the Reserves were ordered to Washington and subsequently took positions along the Potomac River to the north of the Union capital.

The letter provides a wide range of perspectives regarding events in and around the regiments encampment at Camp Sharpe along the Potomac. “Shoulder Arms” describes the health of the regiment, laments the lack of time the soldiers have to write letters home, and shared glowing words about the efforts of the regiment’s chaplain, Thomas P. Hunt, formerly of the 8th Pennsylvania.

The author concluded that the front lines were heating up as the weather cooled; he could hear shelling further to the north. He acknowledged on rumors that General George McClellan was planning a movement against Confederates that month, noting that “it is hoped will strike a death-blow to traitors, secession, and treason.”

From the Luzerne Union, October 9, 1861

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Letter from Colonel Harvey’s Regiment.

CAMP SHARPE, WASHINGTON, D.C.,

October 3, 1861.

COL. HANNUM.—Dear Sir: The “Union” has been regular in its visits for several weeks past, and we are always glad to receive it, yet we must confess that we have not been punctual in contributing to its columns. 

Our time for correspondence is limited not to any particular time or place, but to circumstances, and we write, if we feel like it, accordingly. 

Some get a rough board, others a knapsack, and some are not so fortunate; but by the time they get one or two sentences nearly completed you will hear the orders “Fall in ranks, boys!” and the next twelve hours likely will be spent in building forts, going through the axe, pick and shovel drill, guard or camp duty. This is the soldier’s lot. His country first, then if he feels like it he may write.

The general health of our camp is pretty good—I think improving very much for the last few days. Cool weather and the absence of green fruit, melons, corn, &c., I think will prove beneficial. 

We had frost here two or three mornings last week; the nights were very cold, but have moderated now. 

We are still near Tennaly-town, on the ground formerly occupied by the 12th regiment, perhaps three fourths of a mile from where we were encamped. Our camp is now called “Sharpe,” for the Adjutant. The place is not as healthy or pleasant as was Camp Green. We were moved on account of the formation of the brigade. Ours is the 2d, under command of Gen. Meade, a U. S. military officer. Col. Kane’s rifle regiment, the noted buck-tails, occupy the right of the brigade; their camp joins ours.

Fast day was observed by soldiers and people generally in this vicinity. The paymaster was with us, however, and a close observer might have noticed on the part of some a disposition to add thanksgiving to the list of observances, or rather thanks for what the paymaster was giving. Those treasury notes were so tempting and looked so nice, who could help it? 

We had no religious services that day, Father Hunt being home and did not return until last Saturday. However, on Sabbath morning he gave us an excellent discourse. Officers and men all seemed to be well pleased with him. He first introduced himself to the regiment some three weeks ago by giving us a lecture on his favorite topic, intemperance. We need not comment on it; all were much pleased, and we formed a very favorable opinion of him. He intends to give us a series of lectures during the campaign. We trust that his labors will be duly appreciated by the regiment, for he is most certainly prompted by love to sacrifice the comforts of home, etc., for a life of toil and hardship such as the soldier’s. His age, deformity, and profession would, either of them, excuse him from the service, were it not that by so doing he believes he may be an instrument in God’s hands of doing much good.

Camp life for a few weeks has been exceedingly monotonous; yet for several days we have been under marching orders, expecting a change from the monotony of camp duties to something a little more exciting. 

On Saturday night we expected orders to march into Virginia. But our federal troops met with no opposition in taking Upton’s, Taylor’s, and Munson’s Hills, consequently we were not called on. The rebel pickets fired and ran, leaving behind in their forts at or in the rear of Munson’s Hill a large amount of clothing, sabres, and muskets belonging to the rebel army. These Capt. Thomas, of the Quartermaster’s Department, has at his office on exhibition. 

Two of our regiments came in contact with each other during the night and, supposing each other to be rebels, opened a heavy fire, killing half a dozen or more, and wounding about 20. At the Great Falls they have been shelling each other again, but no one of our men hurt.

Friday Morning, Oct. 4.—I did not finish yesterday. Our orders this morning are “every man stay in camp.” We can hear the report of cannon quite frequent in the direction of the Great Falls. 

It was reported here yesterday that Gen. Banks had crossed into Virginia a short time since, and that Col. Baker, with his California regiment and some other regiment, went up the canal on Wednesday from the Chain Bridge to reinforce Banks, it was supposed. 

Friend E. W. Mathews, an old school teacher from Luzerne county, but now Captain of company F. in Campbell’s battery, started from this place yesterday morning to join Banks’ division with several pieces of cannon.

The next few weeks no doubt will be filled with exciting incidents, as it is generally supposed that Gen. McClellan will make a grand move soon; one that it is hoped will strike a death-blow to traitors, secession, and treason.

We have raised out of our regiment a splendid brass band. Corporal Mushon, of company F, was transferred to the band. We gave him, when he left, $30 dollars to buy his instrument with. Other companies did the same by their men that were transferred. They play well together.

Mrs. Harvey just came into camp. Am glad to hear that Wilkes-Barre is all right.

I think this is not worth publishing. Excuse all mistakes. I thank you for the Union.

Yours most truly,

SHOULDER ARMS.

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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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