The following letters were written by a soldier named “George” who I’m confident served in the 146th New York Infantry (a.k.a. “Garrard’s Tigers”) but have yet to identify him definitely. The second letter seems to have been written to a brother named Leander which should provide a lead to anyone who wants to pursue the author’s identity.

The 146th New York was only organized in October 1862 so they had little time to be outfitted and drilled before entering into the fight at Fredericksburg—the subject of the first letter. They were led by Col. Kenner Garrard, a seasoned career officer, who may have saved many of his mens lives if George’s account of the battle can be believed. According to George, when Col. Garrard saw the placement of the battery and rifle pits he was ordered to take at Fredericksburg, he approached Gen. Hooker, who commanded the Grand Central Division and said, “I am ready to go into that hell of fire but I do not want to take my men there.” After studying the situation, apparently Hooker agreed and called off the attack. As a result, the casualties of the regiment at Fredericksburg were extremely light—only a soldier in Co. D having his leg broken by a cannon ball.

The second letter describes the regiment’s participation in the Battle of Chancellorsville where they fought hard the first day and a second time a couple days later, suffering some 50 casualties (killed, wounded and missing).

It was at the Rappahannock, that the 146th took on a new appearance. Instead of the standard blue issue uniform, the 146th chose to wear the flashy Zouave style of uniform. The uniforms were extremely colorful and the regiment became the new centerpiece of the V Corps. The change in uniforms were made for two reasons. Many of the original members of the regiment were killed, died of disease or sent home on sick leave. To fill the void, the 5th New York Volunteers, a zouave unit, were merged with the 146th. I believe that the 5th New York transfers made an impression on the men of the 146th and the uniform was changed to the Zouave style. They were wearing this Zouave uniform at Gettysburg where they fought valiantly at Little Round Top.

Letter 1

December 27 [1862]

We went over to Fredericksburg the day I began this letter. Staid there two days. saw balls and shells, some of which came among us but we did not take an active part in the fight though one of our men near me had his leg broke by a cannon ball. We lay with our guns loaded and half cocked with fixed bayonets and 60 rounds of ammunition & the 2nd day we were ordered to storm some batteries half a mile from us at 3 o’clock.

At 2.30, Gen. Hooker came over the river and our Colonel told him to look at the batteries and rifle pits. He did so and shook his head and the Colonel told him, “I am ready to go into that hell of fire but I do not want to take my men there.” Hooker reported to Burnside and Burnside and Sigel went up in their balloon. When they come down, the whole army was ordered to wait till dark and then retreat, which we did. ¹

That five day battle, all of which we saw, resulted in our defeat and never was an army whipped worse or with more disgrace. The only wonder was that the Rebels did not discover us while we lay in the city and just annihilate the whole army as they could have rained shot and shell into us as they pleased for their batteries were in the form of a crescent on a hill or slope and rose in tiers, one above another. I would write more but must close. — George

¹ George’s account of the Battle of Fredericksburg reads very much like the following letter written by “J. C.” who also served in the 146th New York Infantry that was posted on NYS Military Museum site.

Camp near Falmouth, Va.
December 21, 1862

Dear ____: Since my last letter to you, the 146th Regiment has seen the elephant, and we have come to the conclusion that it is a very “big thing.”

On the morning of the 11th we broke camp, long before daylight, and marched to the tune of the bombardment of Fredericksburg. About 10 o’clock in the morning we came to a halt about a mile to the right of the city. Owing to the mist and smoke that hung over the valley until noon, we could not see the city nor the enemy’s works. In the afternoon, as the fog and smoke cleared away, we had a fine view of the scene. An extensive valley lay spread out before us, with the city in the centre and a range of hills in the rear lined with fortifications, forming a dangerous background to our advancing troops, who had entered the city and were driving the enemy before them. About sundown, a battery of rifled cannon on our right opened on the enemy. I could not but admire the magnificent spectacle, as all along our own lines the firing was kept up with spirit, and as spiritedly answered by the enemy. As darkness came on, the firing ceased, but the sky was lit up with the lurid glare of burning buildings, which had been set on fire by our shells in different parts of the city.

During Friday, there was not much firing on either side; but on Saturday the battle raged with great fury all day, with but little interruption. During Saturday we had moved a mile nearer and directly in front of the city; and just after the sun went down, we crossed the bridge and entered the city, which henceforth will be famed in history. What a scene presented itself to the gaze! Ruin, ruin, on every hand.—Fronting the river, hardly a house remained untouched. As we hurried along the streets on a “double quick,” to the roar and rattle of musketry, we all expected to have a share in the fight that night; but darkness closed over the scene, and for a while the firing ceased, and we were drawn up in line on the outskirts of the city, about half a mile from, the enemy’s line of works. We had just ensconced ourselves for the night on whatever we could find in the shape of fence boards, when the rattle of musketry again broke loose, and the balls came flying thick and fast over our heads, and we found that the best thing we could do for the time was to hug mother earth. In about twenty minutes it ceased, and then our ears were saluted by the shrieks and groans of the wounded, which was kept up through the night. 

Before daylight, Sunday morning, our officers, knowing that we would be completely at the mercy of the enemy where we were, removed us to the first street back of us, where we remained a couple of hours or more. As the mist cleared away, the rebels got our range, and sent a couple of shells plunging right into our midst, breaking the leg of one of Co. D’s boys, and doing some other damage, after which we were filed around in among the gardens and houses, a little further back.

In this location, on Sunday and Monday, our boys had a jolly time of it, living high on corn beef, molasses, potatoes, pancakes, preserves and pickles, and other articles, besides rumaging [sic] around for whatever took their fancy. 

On Monday it was evident to us that something was in the wind. Occasionally a shell would come thundering into the city among the troops. We expected every hour to go to the front; but at length orders came for a detachment from our regiment to work on entrenchments, and we kept at it almost up to the time we left the city. The latter part of the night a strong wind came up and a heavy rain set in, and just at day break the whole army, our brigade bringing up the rear, crossed the Rubicon, and felt ourselves comparatively safe as we saw the timbers of the pontoon bridge taken up behind us.
This ended the grand farce of the taking of Fredericksburg, which had amounted to a brilliant flash in the pan. Our loss, as you have learned, has been very heavy, and nothing accomplished. It could not be otherwise. The feeble resistance offered by the enemy to our taking the city, was intended to draw us on, and even while we lay in the city, had they been disposed to do so, they could have slaughtered us by thousands, and we could not have helped ourselves; we were completely at their mercy. Nothing but the regard they had for their property saved us. 

I should say that the retreat from the city was made in perfect order; no confusion, no disorder, and certainly, to us, soldiers, it seemed the most sensible part of the whole job. There could not have been, at this season of the year, more favorable weather for a grand undertaking, and it is too bad, after such an enormous waste of life, that we should be farther than ever from the accomplishment of the end had in view.

You folks up North may think the war is to be closed by fighting; but there are few in this army who think so; and there is hardly one among the common soldiers who would not gladly return to their homes to-morrow, no matter how the country goes. J. C.

---

Letter 2

Near Potomac Creek, Virginia
May 13, 1863

Dear Friends,

I take the pen to write you again. I am quite well but a good many of the boys are coming down with fevers caused by being “slammed through” for the last week or two.

Our last expedition was a forced march. We crossed the Rappahannock far enough up to make it easy laying the bridge. There was three or four streams. Two we had to wade through. The Rapidan was so deep that we had to carry our clothes across on our shoulders. We crossed it at about 10 o’clock of the 3rd night.

Gen. Lee expected us to come by way of the U. S. Ford but we were in their rear before they knew it and there must have been a big blunder somewhere or we would have ruined their army. We were formed in six lines of battle in front and Lee and Jackson tried all day Sunday to break through but could not as our guns would shell them at long range and double charge with grape and canister shot for short for some time and paid them well for Fredericksburg.

We were entrenched with all timber cut in front of us and left so that there was only narrow places for anyone to come up and them places were guarded with our guns while the infantry could bring two crossfires to bear on them in some places. Quite a large number of our guns were placed in the rear of our line and could throw shot over us and do a good business.

Our regiment lost in all about 40 men. We were engaged twice. When out on our skirmishing [line], I am very certain that I made one good shot. I knew I must do it and I did.

I do not know as this army will be in condition to advance again in a long time as a great many are two-years and nine-months men whose time expire this month and next. Several regiments have gone home since we came back. Humphreys Division are nearly all going home. We are waiting for our clothes with the greatest patience. We lost about all we had and it will cost from 15 to $30 apiece to make us good. There is some talk of our being paid again as the Legislature of New York made quite a fuss because they let us go so long before. If we get anything, it will be for two months. I do not know as there is anything more to write unless that it is very warm & the trees are all leafed out.

In the speech of the Hon. S. W. Fowler, I took it that he must have been in New Orleans with Gen. Butler. Do you know whether he was or not? Willie is well. I have not had my letters since we came back. Leander, take money of mine if it is so you can and pay for the State Republican and Rural. Always take a paper. No more at present. From your brother, — George

You did right about the box. I have not got it yet.