Captain Joseph E. Hamblin, July 25, 1861

Headquarters 5TH Regiment, N.Y. S. Vols.,

July 25, 1861.

We received marching orders about one o'clock this A.M. Will leave camp in about an hour. Have been busy packing up and doing up unfinished business, and snatch a moment from the confusion to assure you of my love and that you are ever present in my memory.

We do not know in what direction the column is to move. Four regiments are under marching orders. We are in excellent spirits.

The news this morning shows the late retreat to have been a dearly bought victory to our enemies, and shows such contrast with the terrible disaster we first learned of that we are quite exultant. . .

SOURCE: Deborah Hamblin, Brevet Major-General Joseph Eldridge Hamblin, 1861-65, p. 9

Captain Joseph E. Hamblin to Hannah Sears Hamblin, May 10, 1861

Headquarters 5th Regiment, N.Y. S. Vols.,

Fort Schuyler, May 10, 1861.

My dear Mother and Sister,—

Yesterday the 5th was mustered into United States service, — ten companies, numbering about 847 men. Orders were received last night for us to leave so soon as we can equip. We shall probably get away about Tuesday next. Our destination is unknown, probably near Washington.

Our uniform is as follows: fez cap, chocolate color with blue tassels; white flannel cape, very light, to protect the face and neck from the sun; jacket, blue with red trimmings; shirt, ditto; trousers and sash, red with blue trimmings; gaiters, brown linen; light blue overcoat; knapsack, canteen, haversack, tin cup, to every man.

By the last act of Congress an adjutant ranks as captain.

I am in splendid health, and enjoy this life. We are liberally supplied with all comforts, more, indeed, than we can take away. Every man has a pair of woollen blankets and an India rubber blanket.

The officers' uniform is red and blue fatigue cap with gold braid, dark blue frock coat, and red trousers.

I have been offered command of two companies, but the colonel will not spare me. I like my present position best, and think my chances of promotion are as good as if I were in the line.

I am writing this before six o'clock A.M.

Your affectionate son and brother,

(Captain) Jo. E. Hamblin.

SOURCE: Deborah Hamblin, Editor, Brevet Major-General Joseph Eldridge Hamblin, 1861-65, p. 8

Washington News

WASHINGTON, May 27 – From the Navy Department the following news is gathered.

The U. S. steamer Shanee, with one company of the 5^th N. Y. on the 9^th inst. passed up the Chawan river, N. C. , to Gates county, and destroyed $50,000 worth of bacon, corn and lard, fish, &c., belonging to the Confederate Government.

On the 16^th the U. S. steamers Ceres and Lockwood pursued the rebel Steamer Alice up the Roanoke river and captured her two miles below Williamsburg.  She has a cargo of bacon for the rebel army and the church bells of Plymouth, which were to be cast into field pieces.

No advices have been received at the War Department to-day from Gen. Halleck.

Gen. McClellan telegraphs that his troops have cut the Virginia Central Railroad at three points below Hanover Court House and the Chickahominy.

The Intelligencer to-day referring to the representations that the insurgents again menace the National capitol, says, besides creating the false alarm they strengthening the military dispositions the Government made for the protection of the city, while their effect abroad can only be to produce a vicious impression more complimentary to the military strength of the insurgents, than the facts of the case can be held to warrant the absurd rumors which find currency among idlers and secession sympathizers, have not disturbed the equanim of the people of Washington.

Gen. Sigel was serenaded.  He made a speech to a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Nothing received to-day from Halleck.

Nothing further from Banks.

The War Department received advices this evening from McClellan, saying they had captured Hanover C. H.  Our loss is small.  We captured one of the enemy’s cannon, killed some and took prisoners several rebels.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 4