This letter was written by John Elmer Mulford (1829-1908). An obituary informs us that he was “born at Lawrenceville, Pa., Feb . 26, 1829. Mulford joined the Union Army in 1861, going as a Captain of the Third NY Volunteers. He was later given the rank of General and served on the Commission for the Exchange of Prisoners between the North and South. He was the loved and trusted friend of President Lincoln—no man standing closer to the President in those days. He took no orders except from Secretary of War Stanton. His integrity was above reproach, and his war record was one of high honor to himself, to his posterity and to the Nation which he served. As a business man General Mulford had marked and unusual abilities. He was one of the promoters of, and the leading spirit in the building of the Glen Route, and his ability has shown itself in countless ways. As a soldier and a citizen his loss will be equally regretted. In public life Mr. Mulford was a man who was liked intensely. He had a very philanthropic nature and many generougifts have been bestowed in this, his native village. He leaves to mourn his loss, his widow of this village, and one son, Edwin H.”

In his letter, Mulford speaks of his attempts to recruit an officer for a Pennsylvania regiment. He also mentions the retirement of General Scott and the promotion of General McClellan. Finally he alludes to the danger of violence in Maryland on the day he wrote the letter which was November 6th 1861, the day of Maryland’s Gubernatorial election pitting a Union Party Candidate against one from the Democratic party.

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

Headquarters 3rd Regt. N. Y. V.
Fort McHenry [Baltimore]
November 6, 1861

My dear friend,

I have just received a letter from Silas which I enclose herein. I wrote him twice to Capt. Davis but have had no reply from him. His answer to Silas, however, is quite as favorable as we could expect and now it remains for us to get the man. Can you get one in your town to go with the Bradford Company? Please try without delay, and I will also, for I think him worth two. Capt. Davis has however offered to trade even, & let us close the bargain at once. You will pardon me for assuming that you have consented to this change. I hope you will. No matter where the regiment goes, we can find it & when you find a man who is willing to go, we will pay his fare to the regiment, wherever it may be. I am very sorry that Silas did not give me the name of his Colonel & number of their regiment. I have, however, written to Headquarters at Harrisburg to find out & shall I doubt not be in possession of all that information before I hear again from Silas.

My command is still in Fort McHenry, but how long to remain I cannot tell. We are to have a battle on the Potomac lines in a few days & what changes will be made in the station of troops will in a degree depend upon that. General Dix has requested the Secretary of War to leave our regiment with him, but if we are needed more elsewhere, we must go.

As far as we have been able to judge, the Army seems well pleased that General Scott has retired, and now if our McClellan proves equal to his position, & is able to sustain the proud reputation he has already acquired, we may hope for success in the field. He is now untrammeled, & no one is responsible for any farther blunders which may be made but himself. Our campaign so far has only been a series [of] “brilliant” blunders & like railroad smash ups, “No body to blame.” But now we have a man who is responsible. There is a great movement of troops towards Washington this week and everything indicates an early engagement. There are great fears of an uprising in Maryland today and some fear as to whom will be in the ascendancy. Large forces of the rebel troops are along the Potomac and will undoubtedly many of them cross at unguarded points for the purpose of voting, or taking part in an outbreak which may occur.

I will write you again as soon as I have anything to communicate. — Jno. E. Mulford, Capt. 3rd Regt. N. Y. V.

[to] William Runyon, Esq., Granville Summit, Bradford county, Pa.