0305----1861 James Johnson civil war letter - 101st PA inf - Beaver County PA

Description

0305----1861 James Johnson civil war letter - 101st PA inf - Beaver County PA
0305----1861 James Johnson civil war letter - 101st PA inf - Beaver County PA
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Description
Original c. 1861 letter from Lt. James A. Johnson of Beaver County PA
to his brother George Johnson.
Johnson was a member of the 101st PA Infantry, Company F.
Two page letter concerns mainly his desire to be promoted.
He mentions all of the  subordinate officers of the company.
** Interesting to note that "Jacob Winch" who is mentioned as a Sixth Corporal,
later deserted on 4.10.1863 **
Although undated, this letter was written by Johnson when he was still a First Sgt (as he mentions in the letter).   Johnson enlisted as a Sgt on 11.19.1861 and was not promoted until 12.8.1862, so most likely this letter was written in late 1861 or early 1862.  He does mention that it "may soon snow."
I have checked the names of the officers in the letter and most were found while researching.
Here is the list as he writes:
Orderly - Thos Nash
First Sgt - J.A. Johnson
Second Sgt - J.A. McCarroll
Third Sgt - Jno. Swaney
Fourth Sgt - M.W. Elliot
Commissary Sgt - Will Hall
First Corp - D.M. Ramsey
Second Corp - Thos Barclay
Third Corp - Jno. Wynn
Fourth Corp - Jos Werrick
Fifth Corp - Jno. Ramsey
Sixth Corp - Jacob Winch
Seventh Corp - Clark Hunter
Eighth Corp - Cal Morgan
George, I am looking forward to Brevet Lieutenant, in which I can take a good position and a good salary, the same as that of a Second Lieutenant.  We have been exempt from guard duty, from appearance in Dress Parade, and Camp Duty of all kinds for upwards of ten days! Yet we will have to go on tomorrow.  Several Companies of our Regmt have gone on to day.
George, tis awful muddy here – worse than any of the Public Roads in Beaver Co.   Our ?? are awful and ?? grant that it may soon snow then freeze and stay frozen until we leave the camp for someplace more pleasant.
Shall give you a list of our Subordinate Officers.
Orderly, Thos S. Nash, First Sergt J.A. Johnson.  Secd Sergt J.A. McCarroll Third Sergt Jno Swaney.  Fourth Sergt M.W. Elliot. Commissary Sergt Will Hall.
(end of page 1)
First Corporal D.M. Ramsey, Second Thos M. Barclay, Third Jno J.Wynn Fourth Jos F. Werrick – Fifth Jno Ramsey, Sixth Jacob Winch, Seventh Clark A. Hunter, Cal Morgan – Eighth.
Private Secretary David D. Johnson to the Colonel
I do not think it all improbable that Jn F. Werrick will be Regimental Post Master – I hope he will.
I am standing hard on this.
Tie Laces and working forward to a full Commission.
We have now gone through the schools of the squad + soldiers the company and the Battalion and in all more rapidly reviewing.
My love to Jennie + Milo.  Regards to Rob + Love and to you + Uncle
Special and affectionate regards – from J.A. Johnson
Please write soon + at length.
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