The following letter was written by Christian W. Winnie (1839-1909) while serving in Co. D of the 20th Regiment, New York State Militia—a 100 days unit mustered in on 11 May and mustered out on 2 August 1861. I believe Christian was the son of Cornelius and Eva Winne of Ulster county, New York.

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

Headquarters 20th Regiment
Patterson’s Park
July 11, 1861

Dear friend,

After a long delay I take the present opportunity of writing a few lines. You must excuse me for not writing before for we have been moving around so much I could not get time to write. My last was headed Patterson’s Park, I believe, but owing to some anticipated trouble in the city, we were stationed in the Custom House in about the middle of the city. We were there about one week & yesterday we were removed to this old place. I am glad of it for I did not like it there although it was a very fine place quartered in a house worth 200,000 dollars but it was unhealthy.

The weather has been very warm for a few days. The mercury arose to 93^o but what added to the unpleasantness of the place was the confinement. We were not allowed to go out without a pass which was very hard to get but I did get out once & made my way up to a monument erected to the memory of the Father of our Country. It is very nice & is 180 feet high & as you enter you will see a statue standing near the door and another placed on the pinnacle of the monument. After ascending a winding stairs, we arrived at the top where a most beautiful sight presents itself. The sun was just setting & as the last pale rays fell on the city (for we had a full view of the whole of it), it presented a sublime spectacle.

After conversing a short time, we retraced our steps, I wondering in my own mind how the people of Baltimore could try to destroy the flag that Washington raised & sealed by the blood of the patriots of the Revolution. And it is a lamentable fact that where the sacred relics of our Nation’s glory might be seen, waves an unnatural flag. The flag of our Union has been trodden under foot. But we trust in providence that He will protect the right; that He will not suffer the flag that has floated over [our] Nation for 25 years to be demoralized by a band of disappointed politicians & traitors. Shall we not fight to protect a Nation’s rights? Yes!

The Fourth [of July] passed without anything happening & it was the only day that seemed like Sunday since we started from home. Sunday is not regarded in the camp which I am sorry to say. No more at present. Direct to Baltimore &c. Goodbye, — C. W. Winnie