The following letter was written by Joseph Alexander Davison (1838-1879), the son of Abraham Smith Davison (1802-1854) and Sarah Loller (180201895) of Antrim, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Joseph enlisted on 24 April 1861 as the 1st Sergeant of Co. D, 6th Pennsylvania Infantry (35th Pennsylvania Infantry). In August 1862 he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant, later a Captain and finally, in March 1865, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Before the war ended, he married Anna Mary Taylor and later fathered Charles Meade (b. 03/10/65), Smith L. (b. @1868 – Sp-Am War vet), Robert Francis (b. 1870), and Maud M. (b. 1872).

The letter was sent to Joseph’s captain, William Dunlop Dixon (1833-1916). He eventually commanded the regiment and was brevetted Brigadier General of US Volunteers in March 1865 for “gallant conduct at the battles of Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, and Bethesda Church, Va.”

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

Camp Pierpont, Virginia
March 2nd 1862

Capt. W. D. Dixon,

My dear friend, enclosed you will find a letter which arrived in camp last evening and which I hasten to forward to you, hoping it may reach you in due time.

Well, inspection and muster is over. Gen. [Edward O. C.] Ord was the mustering officer. I assure you that the [general] put things through with a rush. He was only about two minutes in inspecting our company. He said nothing to any member of our company except Sergt. [Samuel K.] Furley. And to him Gen. Ord said, “Sergeant, what No. boots are those? If you should go on a march, you will find it very difficult to take all that leather with you!!”

We were then marched to company quarters where we were mustered afterward. The quarters were not inspected. The payrolls did not come until the evening of the 28th. I finished them yesterday and handed them in.

Well, we heard from Henry B. Smith this morning. There was an order came here from the Adjutant Generals Office for his descriptive roll and for a copy of his clothing account which I made out and sent it in. He is reported to be perfectly well but it is recommended that he be discharged from the service. I understand that he will be in camp for a few days.

There was also an order came to us to make a requisition for six Sibley tents, poles & pins, which we did on February 28th. This will place about 14 men in a tent—rather a crowded arrangement I think.

We have been having fatigue drills since you left. The regiment marched once to the picket line and twice to the Chain Bridge with knapsacks, with overcoats packed on top.

We have been under marching orders ever since you left with three days rations in our haversacks. But I think that was only for a march in case Gen. Banks was attacked in crossing the river. Everything is going on smoothly. Give my respects to your family, Lt. Burgess, and all friends. We have received one of Burgess’s recruits. Yours, — J. A. Davison

to Capt. W. D. Dixon, St. Thomas, Pa.