Palmer B. Holdridge Civil War Letter #1: Noyes Hotell Norwich Aug 21, 1862

NOTE: Disclaimer and explanation of formatting included at the end of this post.

Noyes Hotell Norwich Aug 21,/621

Dear Kate,
      Though I have but little to write
I suppose you will be looking for a letter by the
time this reaches you. Well, I will commence by
giving you a listing of the last four days.
We started from Williamses about 8 o’clock Mon.
morning, got to Hamilton about noon, took dinner
with Mr. Heeger?. People started again about 1 o’clock
and arrived at Norwich about 5 PM. Our uniforms
had not arrived as we expected so our bright
anticipation of numerious coat pockets and pockets
in our shirts were not to be realized at least for
the present.
      We engaged lodging at the Noyes Hotell
though Williams and I drew our rations at the
Barracks. The girls left for home about 8 o’clock
Tuesday morning. We drilled about one hour Tuesday.
For the first time yesterday (Wednesday), I was unable
to get to the camp ground. I had become so weakened
[page break]
with the diarrhea I saw Dr. Wescott who gave me
some medicine that has helped me. Today I
feel quite strong though I have lost four pounds
in flesh. I shall probably be as well as ever in a
day or two. Norman2 was unable to do duty yesterday.
From the same cause Williams was less affected but
was only able to be on duty half a day. They are
both better today. But I kneed not commiserate the
cases of this kind as nearliy every man in the regiment
has been or is still affected in the same way. One who
was in charge of Dr. Wescott last night it was feared
would not live but he was better this morning.
Another fell from the ranks while on dress parrade
this afternoon in a kind of fit. He was a man
who served through the Mexican war. Miniy? was?
appear on parrade and many who did were barely
able to stand in the ranks. But this will probably
not last much longer as the cause becomes known
which is change of diet, poor coffee, and poor water.
     We had a short speech from the Colonel this
afternoon in which he said we should receive a part
[page break]
of our surety next Tuesday. If we should get it I
should try to obtain a draft for ? unless I
should have an opportunity to send it home by
some reliable person. One uniform came in one packet
tonight so we shall probably get them tomorrow. We shall
probably have a chance to send our letters as near home
as Eaton or Cazenovia and perhaps all the way. You have
undoubtedly heard that there is a going to be a Madison
Co. Regiment raised to r? at Hamilton. There are
but three companies from Madison Co. here. The Caz., Eaton,
& Hamilton. We hear by the way of ? ? that
Jeff Hyatt has been arrested and sent to Washington.
Is it true or false? If true, Jeff did not make much
by running away. I do not know when one Reg. will
leave. The Col. does not seem to know precisely himself
but he will probably learn some time next week. I see by
the ? Herald that our Reg. which is the 114th is
under marching orders for Washington. We are to go by
the way of Elmira where I suppose we shall get our
equipments. How do our foulks get along with laying?
? the ? ? and Tenesee? folks. Write it all
[page break]
and don’t leave out a single item. Write all the news
and write often. Is Freddie well and is he ?
teeth? How do you feel and how do you enjoy
yourself? Don’t forget to keep up good spirits. I
enjoy myself well, even much better than I supposed
I could. But it is already past 10 o’clock PM and
I must retire. Goodbye—write immediately and write
all the news.
      yours [mark] P B Holdridge

1 This letter was written from Norwich, New York on Thursday, August 21, 1862, with reference to the previous four days.

2 Possibly Norman E. Humphrey, Sgt, age 22, enlisted at Nelson, New York, d. 6-7-63. http://localhistory.morrisville.edu/sites/114th/muster_d.html

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Explanation of formatting:
Effort is made to keep much of the spelling, line breaks, and page breaks preserved as shown in the original letter book on file with the William L. Clements Library. Some names of third parties and other select data sets are considered, with footnotes added. A question mark (?) will often indicate a word or letter that was not clear. It may be used to replace the word or letter. Other times it may show on the end of a word, if the transcriber was unclear about that specific word, but chose to transcribe it.

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