The following letter was written by George “Dwight” Smith (1825-1862) who was mustered into the 45th Pennsylvania Volunteers on 7 October 1861 as the 1st Lieutenant of Co. I. A biographical sketch of Dwight appearing in the Wellsboro Agitator of 24 June 1890 reads: “On May 18, 1849 George Dwight Smith took over the office of postmaster. He afterwards became a lieutenant in the Civil War and was killed in action at the battle of South Mountain, Maryland, September 14, 1862 while carrying dispatches for his superior officers. He was the husband of Mrs. Azubah (Robinson) Smith (1835-1908) daughter of John L. Robinson, for many years of prominent banker in Wellsboro.”

Dwight was the son of Benjamin B. Smith (1791-1868) and Margaretta Christenot (1803-1872) of Wellsboro, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. Dwight wrote the letter to his friend, Dr. Charles Grosvenor Osgood (1820-1908) and his wife Mary Josephine Todd (1833-1922) of Wellsboro.

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

Camp Hale
Co. I, 45th Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers
Col Thomas Welsh, commanding

C. G. Osgood, Esq.

Dear Sir, your letter was duly received two days since.I improve the first opportunity to write in return. I know when I left home that I was leaving some whom I could certainly call friends—first and foremost outside of immediate relations, did I place yourself & lady. I am happy to know that I was not in error. I think of home often & friends there & feel sad that circumstances should have been such as to have forced the conclusion upon me that my place was in another field from that in which I have been placed all my life. But so it is & I shall try to make the best of my position & do the best in my new calling that I possibly can.

Since leaving home my duties have been rather onerous besides extremely embarrassing to me. The Captain being away, I have been compelled to assume his duties, taking command of the company before striking tents at Harrisburg for our journey to Washington, pitching them again at this camp. All of this of course required not only work but experience—the first I felt adequate to, but the second had not. I had to assume positions of which I had not the slightest idea of what those positions demanded except as I imitated those in the same position before me. I do not, however, now regret in the least what I was called upon to do for I presume I have learned more that I otherwise would have done in ten times the length of time I have been thus engaged.

There are a great many questions about a soldier’s life which I think I can well imagine you to ask of me & which may be some time I will give you my opinion about them, but for the present will forbear. In some respects am as well situated as could be desired for the business engaged in & in some not quite so well as I would like. Trust I am sufficiently grateful that “I am what I am.”

Gov. Curtin dubbed the regiment his pet regiment when we left Harrisburg and from the way the Colonel puts us through, we judge that if there is any service or engagement within our reach at any time sooner or later, we shall have a hand in. I enclose a copy of our daily drill to show you that we are not idle. I am now feeling quite well though for a few days past have been troubled somewhat with a cold &c. Excuse more for the present. Love to Tody. Will put in a special plea for her some time. Truly, — Dwight