1861: Myron W. Herbert to his Mother

Sixth-plate ambrotype of an enlisted man of 21st New York Infantry in 1861. The 21st New York Infantry, or 1st Buffalo regiment, was recruited in Buffalo, and was the outgrowth of the 74th NYSM. It was mustered into the US service May 20, 1861, at Elmira, for three months and left there for Washington on June 18, 1861. The uniforms acquired by the 21st NY were originally purchased for the 74th NYSM from A. & G. Arnoux, of New York, by the Buffalo City Council. As that militia regiment was not required for three months’ service in 1861, the City Council sold the uniforms to the State which in turn issued them to the Buffalo Regiment on May 21. A report in the Buffalo Daily Courier of June 5 stated, “The uniforms of the 21st are at least 25 per cent better in quality [than State clothing] and one hundred in color.” According to Brigadier General H.R. White, who visited the military camp near Elmira, at this time, the 21st New York wore a “neat and finely fitting gray uniform… It is the same style as the regular State uniform—jacket, cap and pants alike—but fits the men beautifully.” In his regimental history, J. Harrison Mills described the uniform as consisting of “a cap, jacket and pants of gray cloth, trimmed with black, and an overcoat of bluish black lined with red.” After escorting the Buffalo Regiment to the railroad depot on their departure for Washington, D.C., a man in the 27th New York remarked that they “looked well, and very neat in their gray uniforms.” When the 21st reached the Federal capital on June 19, it was reported to be wearing “dark gray jackets, pants, and cap, trimmed with black.” Written in pencil in the case is “From O.[liver] B.[enton] Evans Gallery, Buffalo.” (Ron Field Collection)

The following letter was written by Irish emigrant Myron W. Herbert (1833-1903) of Niagara county who served early in the war as a private in Co. E, 21st New York Infantry and later transferred to the U. S. Navy. According to his military file, 28 year-old Myron enlisted on 12 May 1861 and deserted on 13 July 1862. He was described as a 5′ 6″ tall, blue-eyed, brown-haired farmer.

In the pension application Myron filed in 1890 while living in Brockport, Monroe county, New York, he claimed that he had received a gunshot wound to the left ankle and over his left eye while with the 21st New York and was honorably discharged at Washington on 26 October 1862. He then claimed he served as a Landsman in the Navy aboard the Flag Ship Black Hawk and was discharged after two years at Mound City, Illinois. However, the pension was denied when a review of the rolls found no one by that name serving aboard the Black Hawk. Sadly, Myron died in the poor house in Niagara county in 1903.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp Rogers [Upton’s Hill, Va.]
October 21st 1861

Dear Mother,

Once more I sit down to pen a few lines to you fondly hoping that this letter will find you on better health than it leaves me. I have been in the hospital about two weeks but I am somewhat better now with the prospect of getting well. I was taken with the chills and fever but I think the doctor broke them too quick on me and set me into the dropsy on the liver. You would scarce believe what a change there has been in my looks in two weeks time. I was as fat and healthy as could be [and] now I am as poor as a crow. I can’t eat anything and can hardly walk around. But I am in hopes to be able to attend to my duty before long.

The doctor had orders to discharge all the soldiers that would be sick for some little time yet and the rest to send to Washington City to the General Hospital immediately so I think that the army will advance in a few days. I don’t know whether they will send me to Washington or not. If I am able to go with the regiment, I shall for I prefer going than to go to Washington. But it will depend entirely when they go. It is the opinion of a good many that we will go down the river and if we do, we will see some hot times.

The enemy has all left Fairfax and gone back, but how far it is not ascertained. They do that to draw our troops into Manassas Junction but probably McClellan knows what he is about—at least I think so.

I had a letter from James the other day. He was well. He said in his letter that he had just received a letter from home. Poor fellow. I wonder where he calls home. Perhaps it is where [ ] is beyond the grave. I had a letter from Thomas the other day. I see that he is one of the true soldiers. He is determined to see the glorious stars and stripes wave yet over a free country. May the God of Heaven protect him. But [what about] Hank? What shall I say in honor of his cause? Does he prefer to save himself and live under a rebel government? or does he wish to remain with his wife and let others fight for liberty for him? I did not know that there was one in our family that would turn their back on the flag that had always protected them. For shame on such men. I can pick out better men among the camp women that goes with the regiments than he is.

Well Mother, how do you get along and how does all the rest? I have not received any answer to Achsah’s letter yet and I do wish you would send me the Lockport papers. You could just as well as not. Well Mother, goodbye for this time. It is raining or I should sit out-of-doors for a while yet. I guess I will lay down a spell. Give my love to all kind friends and don’t forget to write. I am getting tired and must stop writing so goodbye and believe me. Your son yet, — Myron W. Herbert

Camp Rogers in Virginia
High Private