1861: Martin Van Buren Richardson to Frank T. E. Richardson

The following letter was written by Martin Van Buren Richardson (1838-1885), the son of Reuben M. Richardson (1795-1875) and Mary Ann Sanborn (1799-1883) of Manchester, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire. As stated in this early May 1861 letter, Martin was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in Co. C, 1st New Hampshire Infantry—a three months organization. The following September, he was commissioned an officer in Co. C, 4th New Hampshire Infantry and he was promoted to captain of that company on 12 September 1864.

“The First Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers did no fighting, excepting the exchange of shots at intervals for two days across the river at Conrad’s Ferry. In this affray none of our men were hit. The rebels admit one captain and two privates killed and about twelve wounded. The regiment, however, did a large amount of guard duty, a service, which, though unattended with much eclat, may have accomplished as great good as a victory on the field of blood and carnage. The regiment did faithfully all that was required of it. If, as a regiment, its history is meagre, its individual members have an enviable record. Not less, probably, than five hundred members re-enlisted in subsequent military organizations.” [New Market Historical Society.]

An obituary notice for Richardson published in the Boston Evening Journal on 23 October 1885 informs us that he was only 47 years old when he died and that he had been with the firm of Jerome Marble & Co., in Worcester. His obituary was posted next to that of “the widow of the celebrated actor, Junius Brutus Booth, and the mother of John Wilkes Booth, who apparently died on the same day.

In his letter, Martin writes of the uniforms they expected to be issued: “The officers of the regiment, including lieutenants, were measured for their uniforms last Monday and will receive them next week Monday. The uniform of the officers will be blue frock coat, sky blue pants, &c. The privates will be dressed in grey.” *(see image above)*

Transcription

*Addressed to Frank T. E. Richardson, Manchester, New Hampshire*

“Camp Union” near Concord, N. H.
May 2, 1861

Dear brother,

Mr. Barron was in my quarters today and wanted me to send word to my friends and of course I was desirous of doing so.

You will be a little surprised when I tell you that I have been commissioned 1st Lieutenant Company B, 1st Regiment. Day before yesterday we divided our recruits from Manchester into two companies. Capt. [John L.] Kelly, myself and Ensign Charles O. Jenison command the 1st Company. Capt. Sleepers, 2nd Lieutenant [Hollis O.] Dudley, and another man from West Point for 1st Lieutenant of Company H.

Today we were mustered into the service and received our arms so that we will be pretty well drilled in the course of a week. We may not receive our uniforms until the first of next week. The officers of the regiment, including lieutenants, were measured for their uniforms last Monday and will receive them next week Monday. The uniform of the officers will be blue frock coat, sky blue pants, &c. The privates will be dressed in grey.

We received our papers from Mr. Porter of Manchester and the officers & men voted their thanks heartily for the same. I may possibly visit Manchester again before I leave the state so to fix up matters a little.

You had better lay some soft paper upon the surface of the stone that I received from Boston and pack in snugly in a box that you will find in the closet in our room and have it in readiness when I leave the state or before.

My health is good. My quarters are good as anybodies and I am well contented with a soldier’s life so far as I have been.

I cannot write much now for Mr. Barron is waiting and so I will stop for the present. Give my love to Mother, Father, and all the rest. Write soon and address, — Lieut. Martin V. B. Richardson, “Camp Union”