The following letter was written by Addison Gardner Bonney (1841-Aft1880), the orphaned son of Perez Harwood Bonney (1793-1851) and Sybil Covey (1807-1854) of Hamilton, Madison county, New York.

Addison wrote this letter while serving as a corporal in the Oneida Independent Cavalry Company. He mustered into the company on 4 September 1861 and mustered out as a sergeant in September 1864. This company was recruited mainly at Oneida, Salisbury, Stockbridge, Hamilton, Otisco, Eaton, Nelson Flatts, Vienna and Chittenango. It left the State in September, 1861, and served at the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, performing escort and guard duty, and furnishing couriers, etc. 

Addison wrote his letter from the Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac (AOP) at Frederick, Maryland, just days before the Battle of Gettysburg, and on the very day that Gen. Meade replaced Gen. Hooker as the commander of the AOP—though that information was not yet known to him. “Gen. Hooker is a good division general but is not fit to command the Army of the Potomac, and he is no favorite of the army,” confided Addison to his sister.

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Headquarters Army of the Potomac
Frederick, Maryland

June 28, 1863

Dear Sister,

We have traveled sixty miles in the last two days from Fairfax Court House to this place. We will probably remain here for two or three days.

I never knew less of what was going on in the army than at this time. Gen. Hooker is noted for still movements and quiet planning, but we will of course attack the enemy in Pennsylvania in the rear if a battle is fought then.

I have written before of the fine country about here, whereas harvest has commenced. I never saw such splendid fields of wheat before. I think they will yield forty bushels to the acre (without exaggeration). 

Our entrance into Frederick yesterday was far from being what it was last year. No cheering ever meets the ear of our General. No handkerchiefs ever wave to welcome the approach of our General. No young ladies of surpassing beauty wait impatiently to salute him with a kiss. Gen. Hooker is a good division general but is not fit to command the Army of the Potomac, and he is no favorite of the army.

I become every day more and more convinced that this is a political war and is carried on by a set of politicians and speculators. And these are hardened and selfish and are totally blinded to the country’s interests and to everything but their own personal benefit.

I am well but am pretty tired from hard riding and little sleep.

Your affectionate brother, — A

Addison G. Bonney