The following letter was written by Alexander F. Swartwout (b. 1822) who first served for three months in the 20th New York State Militia early in the Civil War. This regiment was later reorganized in as the 80th New York Infantry; Alexander was in Co. B. He was actually serving in the 80th NY Infantry at the time he wrote this letter in February 1862 although he gave his unit designation as the 20th NYSM.

Alexander was a cheese-maker by profession. He was described as standing 5′ 4.5″ tall, with blue eyes and sandy hair. He mustered out of the regiment on 29 January 1866.

A post published comment received by reader who presumably knows more than I do so I share: “The 20th New York State Militia never mustered into Federal service under any other number. The attempted number change by the nefarious Governor Morgan was merely a political ploy. The 20th was paid under this number by the Federal Government. The regiment was never issued rifled muskets from Prussia—-the 90 day soldiers carried model 1842 Springfields and at the writing by Swarthout, the regiment had been issued .54 caliber Austrian Lorenz rifled muskets which proved to be fine and were still in service at Gettysburg. Late in 1863 and after the 20th were issued Springfields.”

Transcription

Upton Hill, Virginia
February 3, 1862

My dear friend,

George, I thought I would take the pleasure to write you a few lines to let you know how things are a getting along down here in the land of Dixie. We lay about five miles from the enemy. We go out on picket about three miles from their camps. We see their pickets sometimes. We have had two chases after the rebels but they retreated both times so we had no chance for a fight.

Our regiment is anxious [for] a fight for we are tired of laying still doing nothing but we are having very fine times here at present. It is very seldom you see a house here but it is occupied by Union soldiers, the inhabitants all having left them. We are twelve miles from Washington.

John D____nt is in the Lincoln Cavalry. They are stationed down in the city of Alexandria. That is about six miles from our camp. It has been very bad weather here lately. It has rained and snowed here for the last three weeks. The mud is knee deep here.

We receive our 26 dollars every two months. We have also had another new suit of clothes since we have been out here. We have also got new rifles. They came from Prussia. They are wicked things to shoot with. ¹ We are under marching orders but where we are going, I do not know but some say that we are going to Port Royal, South Carolina. I hope it is so.

Answer this letter. So no more at present until I hear from you. This is from one who is fighting for the Union and his country. Give my best respects to your folks and all of my friends. Yours with respect. — A. F. Swartwout

Direct your letter to Alexander F. Swartwout in care of Col. George W. Pratt, Co. B, 20 Regiment, N. Y. S. M., Washington D. C.

¹ Alexander states that the 80th New York Infantry had been issued “Prussian Rifles” that were “wicked” to shoot. An article by Dan Masters entitled, “Arming the Empire State: Arms Issued to the New York Regiments in 1861” states that “the 80th New York, the old 20th New York State Militia, left the state with the flank companies armed with rifle and the line companies armed with Model 1842s. This image of six soldiers dates from 1862 when it was part of General Irvin McDowell’s First Army Corps.” It isn’t clear from Alexander’s statement whether the entire regiment was issued Prussian Rifles or not, and if so, what model they received. If they received the Dreyse Needle Rifle, it may explain why he considered them “wicked.”