October 17-18, 1998
Gen. Mansfield House & Middlesex Historical Society
Preservation March
October 18th, 1864
around and about Middletown, Conn.

Dear Friends,

I am writing at this juncture to let you all know that I and some others of the gallant Eighth are here in the home state once again, on a special recruiting detail. We left the front at Petersburg on the 10th instant, and were detailed by the Colonel to recruit about 100 men to fill the ranks in the vicinity of Middlesex County. We left in haste to the wharves of City Point, and embarked on a steamer for Baltimore, thence to New York, arriving there on the 13th. The next day, we sailed for New Haven, where our government transporation expired. So we rested there the afternoon, then in full gear started a march on foot for Middletown. We did not hurry, as the weather was crisp and clear.

We arrived at the green of Durham on Saturday morning, and there drew rations, at fine lot of hardtack and salt pork. We were refreshed to know that it was not far to our destination, and that the march would be peaceful. We departed the Durham green towards Middlefield. We walked at a good rate, and sung and fifed our way along in the autumn air. As our banners passed some old veterans in their yards, they would stop and salute the colors in a very moving way. We were hononred to know that the citizens still remembered us, and respected our contributions to this war.

After a time, we arrived at the Lyman Orchards, and proceeded to rest there shortly, cooking some noon meals. The Lymans were kind enough to augment our rations, providing a good supply of better variety. Our rations there included potatoes, onions, apples, pumpkins, ritabagas, pie, cakes, and the like. Our pockets, haversacks, and stomachs were indeed pleasantly full. We did have a small ration of our remaoning coffee from the commissary, but some, Peter Simmons for one, were shorted by accident. We drilled there at the orchard for the public, concentratingon instruction, left flank drill, and the position of the rear rank during straight and oblique firing. We had no recruiting success at that location. It must be too late in the war for volunteers, and too early for draftees. Such is the state of affairs with Seymourites still about.

We formed in, geared up, and daparted the orchard around 2 of the clock, and proceeded towards Middletown. It was a little trying marching over hill and dale, and the men were getting a little tired. Many of the public were informed of our route and intentions, and turned out in there dooryards to greet and support us on our trek. We stopped to rest at one intersection on a hillcrest, and fell out. Sgt. Liska read all the men a treatise in the art of gun safety, and the perponderance of folks still injured by ignoring the obvious, thus shooting and maiming themselves in the most incomprehensible ways. It was meant in jest, but we too know that there are soldiers who resort to foolishness and eliminate themselves from the earth. We must be ever vigilent, no matter the frustration, emergency, or situation.

We stopped once more in Middlefield at the Independent Day School grounds, where we drew more water, and looked forward to the last leg of the day's march. We left there, and proceeded toward the Long Hill estate of the Wadsworths in Middeltown. We marched for some time, and the feet were all tired. Lt. Boucher called the normal rest, but it was suggested that our final destination was noly 400 yards away. So up on our feet, and away we went, encouraged and pleased. Bu t the 400 turned into 400 more, and more, and we were heading down a wood road farther and farther from anything, we were getting worried. But just then a arching stone gate was seen on the right, and cries from the citizens waiting there were heards, and our flags, turned the corner, and we all climbed up the banks to reveal an emmense mansion, and grounds surrounding. We were immediately dismissed, and treated to cider and cakes by our hosts.

At the Long Hill estate, we encamped in thier back yard, of about five acres rectangle, and proceeded to build the fires, and cook some of the reations from the orchard with vigor. All the victuals were relished with great pleasure, and were quite fine. The boys were quite tired, and proceeded to sing a little, and retire early. It was also quite singular how we passed the night without any of the expected shivers, the weather was very cooperative. We awoke at our normal time of sunrise, got the fires going, salt pork frying ,and coffee boiling. It was only about an hour that we had eaten, dropped our tents, rolled our beds, and packed our bags. We fell in right on schedule, and for a start, double quicked the length of the field in line of battle at charge bayonets. It sure drew some response from the boys. From there, we departed Long Hill via Dolly Lane, and heard some of the local history from Peter, and proceeded on our last leg of the trip. We marched about a half hour, when Capt. Kurtz turned us in to a cemetary.

It was the Indian Hill Burying Ground in Middletown. We climbed the hill, and skirted around the perimieter to the grave and monument of our late heroic Gen. Mansfield. In a moving ceremony, his obituary was recited, some words were spoken on his character and service to his country, and then our commissioned officers laid a wreath on his stone. We saluted him from the ranks, and then we departed. The inspiration that I gained from hearing his words on honor and duty have caused me to reenlist as a veteran volunteer, and not to go home at the end of my term. If I do, it will mean that I will be home at last on a veteran furlough yet. I would find that very acceptible. We left the cemetary and proceeded to Main Street.

At the south end of Main Street is Union Park, were we honored other veteran heros, and then we proceeded about two blocks north to the old residence of Gen. Mansfield. It is a fine brick structure, with a brick and rail fence surrounding it, and a quaint back yard in the rear. We established a small camp there, and recruiting station for the public. As the citizens came through, curious, more than patriotic, I dare say, they asked many questions about the life of the soldier, our adventures thus far, and the fate of other Connecticut regiments as well. We did our best to tell them the facts, and help them understand the trials at the front. We conducted drills at regular intervals to show the public some martial flair. The company was divided into two platoons, and each platoon was placed under the command of successive corporals to instruct and better habituate them in the skills of their rank. At the same time, the officers and NCOs narrated the drill for the public, explaining the significance of the items in the drill, the manual of arms, and the loading and firings. All was quite acceptable to the public. Many of the citizens came and observed us, and even encouraged us in our work, but terribly few came forward for recruitment.

As the afternoon wore on, we held our final drill, and issued our final rations. Several compliments were paid to the organizers of our march, to our benificiaries, and to ourselves. We were sismissed from the regiment, and allowed to travel to our homes for the next couple days, needing to meet the regiment in Middletown once more before returning to Petersburg and the seat of war with our new recruits. It is a treasure more than gold to see the beauty of the New England autumn colors, and smell the harvest of apples, and to be so near our homes. It is sweet, yet bitter sweet, since we will be at the front once more within two weeks. Expect me home day after to morrow, and please ready some of that chutney I love and miss so much.

Love,
Kim