June 13, 1998
Putnam County Fairgrounds
Kent, New York
June 13th, 1863
Putnam County Fairgrounds
Kent, New York

Dear Friends,

This letter will find its way to you from a strange location, and not from the seat of war where my writings have originated so often. Some of the veterans of the old Eighth have been detailed to come north, and close to home on a mission of recruiting. While we were not assigned to recruit for Connecticut troops in our home state, or even have time to visit our homes, we were sent to mid state New York to help the New York volunteers swell their ranks. While the rumors are that the whole purpose of the detail was to increase the numbers to vote in the fall Presidential election, I have a more positive attitude on the matter. These New York units have been afflicted with sickness and losses the same as all the troops of '61, and they have had a hard time with the quotas since their towns and counties are some of the poorer ones in comparison to the cities. We are here to encourage them to join the veterans at once.

We came up from the New York City on the cars, and were deposited at the depot near dark on Friday, along with a hard rain. We made our way to the outskirts of town, across a reservoir causeway, and up to the top of the hill to the county fair ground where the rallies were to be held. Not much had been made ready due to the weather, and so we made the most of the situation, made a fire under a pavilion, and proceeded to make our meals. We spent a cordial evening in the company of the 27CV, the 119 NY, 150 NY, and 124 NY. And of course, the Hawkin's Zouaves, the 9th NY, our 9th Corps comrades. We determined not to spread any canvas, but to avail ourselves of the barn hard by, and pass th night in comfort there. Others set up a hay bale fortification and rested there.

In the morning, the rains still fell, but we made our breakfasts, and were invited by our friends of the 27CV to eat their extras as well, which was very good indeed. They were well rationed, and their cook was quite handy. Bully for breakfast!

The morning showed some promise of rain letting up, so we made our way to the appointed sites for the camp of instruction, and set it out in short order. As soon as that was done, the canvas indeed came in handy, for the clouds let loose once more in earnest. We all waited in line at the headquarters tent, getting our passes and detail papers, and we all joked that we were going to be the only ones signing papers that day.

Our Colonel Adler in charge of the detail, did order a dress parade for the public strong who were coming in some small numbers, probably to see the miserable life of a soldier, and not to join it. There was an artillery demonstration or more accurately a salute, and that was the highlight. So we did, and in my recollection it was the shortest parade on record, the customs observed, the parade was dismissed quickly, the colors retired to cover, and so with us soldiers.

We did manage to start some small cook fires there for our noon meals, and that was accomplished. Orders came from the Col. and our Captain, that we, of all regiments, were to have an enlistee to train. Well, Cor. and I went for the lad, and a lad he was. I made the mistake of questioning the boy's age in front of the Col's Aide-de-Camp, and he reprimanded me for doubting his attention to the laws, and assured me the recruit was over eighteen, as I saw the small shingle with the black painted "18" go from under the shoe to the back pocket. Such is the military. So we broke the boy in with manual of arms, and school of the soldier in the pouring rain. And yet the boy smiled. Why, we could not tell, but he must have known something better. We took him to the company street and saw to it that he got some rations, and the old boys were a little hard on him, sending him back to the quartermaster for his umbrella and white pantaloons, &c. He returned shortly, still smiling, but not as gullible as when he awoke this morning.

There was some public interest shown but the weather I believe discouraged many who were expected. The town and the county had done a fine job in preparation, yet were hampered by the rain. I must note that the veterans just stood around on the rain as they have for the past two years, knowing that it was folly to curse the weather, and just better to wait for it to change.

And so it did, as once we set to breaking up the grounds, and load ed some on the wagons, yes, it started to clear, and by the time we were bound back to the depot, it was starting to stop. The detail was brought to a close, and the weather changed. Perhaps the next time this area works so hard on a good cause, the weather will cooperate, and pay dividends that were hoped for this time, and with interest. We need all the recruits we can get in this army from every bombproof and patriot alike, if we hope to end this war soon. Union, Lincoln, & Liberty!

Your obedient servant,
Kim