[Gettysburg] Civil War 5th CT Infantry Private Writes Of Deserters, Execution For Sale

The 5th Connecticut Infantry left for Baltimore, MD, on July 29, 1861. Then moved to Harpers Ferry, W.Va. on July 30. The regiment was involved in nearly 20 major battles, including Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Second Bull Run, Cedar Mountain, the Atlanta Campaign and Sherman’s March to the Sea. The 5th brought 324 men into the Gettysburg battle. It cleared Confederates from Wolf Hill. On July 2nd, it formed line on Culp’s Hill and supported the 3rd Corps in the afternoon. A monument was placed to honor the 5th at Gettysburg.

HENRY F. PRINDLE was mustered into B Co., CT 5th Infantry on July 22, 1861 and remained until January 11, 1864 was he was transferred into G Co. CT 29th Infantry. He was mustered out on July 22, 1864.

Offering a 4 pp, 5 x 8, ALS to his parents, from Head Quarters Provost Guard, 1st Division, 12th Army Corps (near) Kelley’s Ford, VA, August 21, 1863. He writes a descriptive letter regarding deserters, executions, the draft and paid substitutes and written in rich brown period ink.

“...Everything is great and we have again settled down to our old camp life again but we don’t know how soon we will be on the move again. We had orders a few days ago to hold ourselves in readiness to march at any time but we still remain where we have been since the 1st of the month. There was three Regts left this Division last Sunday and I understand they have gone to New York to help enforce the Draft (if they should need any help) and the New York ‘roughs’ had better keep rather quiet for the men in these Regt saint the chaps to fool with for when they get an order to do a think they generally do it. The names of these Regts are the Mass 2nd, the 27th Indiana and the 3rd Wisconsin...

“I see by the papers that the draft is to come off Simsbury to day. I would just like to be there and see the fun. Please send me a list of those drafted if you can get one...I suppose that Frank will either furnish a substitute or pay $300...

“We are in daily expectation of big news from Charleston. Conscripts are coming in every day now...

“Co B is still one Provost Guard. We have at present about 15 prisoners, mostly deserters that have been brought back. We have one man under sentence of death. He was to have been executed today but he has had his sentence reprieved for one week and I believe they are going to give him a new trial. If they give him a new trial, I think they will pass a difference sentence upon him. His crime is ‘Desertion in the face of the enemy.’”

Folds. Light toning.

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