The following letter was written by Caspar Bradenbough of Co. D (the “Finley Cadets” of Armstrongcounty), 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry (he signed his name Casper Brady). Enrollment records describes him as 18 years old, with brown hair, brown eyes, and 5′ 6.5″ tall. According to a letter from 1st Lieutenant Putney, Bradenbaugh died at Washington Street General Hospital, Alexandria, Va. on 18 May 1862 at 7 P.M. of pneumonia. He was buried on 19 May 1862 in the Alexandria National Cemetery in Section A, Grave 9. Bates, in error, indicates Grave #8.

The 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was organized by Colonel Samuel Black at Pittsburg as the 33rd Independent Regiment under the authority of Secretary of War Simon Cameron. T. Frederick Lehman was appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Jacob Sweitzer was appointed Major. The authority to raise ten companies was later raised to 12. The name of the regiment was changed to 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry on 19 November 1861.

In late August 1861, the regiment moved to Baltimore, Maryland, after training at Camp Cameron near Harrisburg. The regiment, commanded by Colonel Samuel Black, camped at Patterson’s Park, across the harbor from Fort McHenry, before continuing to Washington. It was at this location that Casper wrote the following letter.

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

Camp Bagley
22nd August 1861

Mr. Andrew Bradenbough,

Dear Brother, It is with pleasure that I seat myself to inform you that I am well at present and I hope that these few lines may find you in the same state of health.

We can see a great part of the city from our camp. Our camp is joining a park. There was a battle fought on this ground in 1812. We can see where the entrenchments were thrown up. I like this place very well and I like my travel very well so far. We have not got our uniform yet but I think we will get them before long. This is a very nice place. I can see a great many nice things here. I see the ships sailing on the Bay here and a great many camps around here. It is a beautiful place. It is the nicest place that I have seen yet. But the one half of this city is secessionists but they dare not say anything or Fort McHenry will fire on the city and blow it up. The stars and sripes are waving here in the city.

I have not very much to say at present and I think I must bring my letter to a close. Tell John Bartho that I send my best respects to him and tell the rest of the folks that I send my best respects to them and I would like to know if Maggie got the letter I wrote her and if you got the one that I sent the paper in that you was to give to mother.

Write soon. Direct to Casper Brady, Camp Bagly, Col. [Samuel] Black’s Regiment, care of Capt. [William C.] Beck, Baltimore, Maryland