98th Regiment, NY Volunteer Infantry
Civil War Newspaper Clippings

THE NINETY-EIGHTH—Capt. W. H. Rogers informs us that this regiment has been reformed into ten Companies, the lettering being the same as when originally organized.—No new commissions have as yet, however, been given; but they are expected soon.

From the 98th Regiment.
NEWPORT, N. C. Aug. 7th, 1863.
EDITOR PRESS:—A short time subsequent to the consolidation of the 98th, an order was received from the War Department which annulled the previous order for consolidation, and the regiment has been restored to the original ten companies—it being the design of the Government to fill up the old three years' regiments with drafted men. Since the latter order was carried into effect there have been several promotions. Lt.'s L. A. Rogers, W. H. Rogers, E. M. Allen and N. H. Davis have donned the Captain's burs [sic], and S'ergt.'s Harris, Downing, Anjovine, and Copps have been commissioned 2d Lieutenants. Major Clark, (with several officers and non-commissioned officers) is now absent to attend to the duty of filling up the regiment with conscripts. Should he succeed in dong this, we shall again have as fine a regiment as there is in the service. A finer looking and more hardy lot of men never marched to sound of fife and drum, than the veterans who compose the rank and file of the 98th at the present time. A few days ago our Brigade underwent a rigid inspection, and the 98th was officially reported by the Inspecting officer as being, in all respects, the best regiment in the Brigade. This is saying something, considering that the 23d Mass. and 9th New Jersey regiments have long held the reputation of being the "crack Regiments" of this Department. This improvement is the result of the unremitting diligence of Col. Wead and his untiring efforts to bring the regiment up to a proper state of discipline. Notwithstanding certain parties maliciously persist in writing and speaking disparagingly of Col. Waed [sic], it is but simple justice to state that he stands as high in the estimation of Generals Foster and Heckman as any Colonel in the Department. It is true that many have been prejudiced against him on account of his strict notions of military discipline. But this prejudice is fast wearing away as it becomes apparent that he is as prompt to reward merit as he is to punish crime. I feel confident in predicting that the 98th will yet win an honorable reputation, and carry a good name with them when they go out of the service. I have no news to write in regard to war matters. You have doubtless heard of the recent Cavalry expedition sent out from Newbern under Gen. Potter, which resulted in the destruction of an extensive Flouring Mill, a Cotton Manufactory, a Railroad bridge 1,000 feet in length, and a train of cars, loaded with ammunition and army stores. This was on the Washington and Weldon R. R., near Rocky Mount. The weather is excessively warm here, the mercury frequently rising to 100 degrees in the shade.
Yours truly, S. S. S.

The 98th Regiment.
We are gratified to be able to lay before our readers the following testimony of the discipline and soldierly bearing of the 98th Regiment. Those who have clamored over the condition of that Regiment will not fail to see that they have been egregiously deceived:
OFFICE BRIGADE INSPECTOR,
HECKMAN'S BRIGADE,
Newbern, N. C. July 25, 1863.
CAPT.:—I have the honor to submit the following report of my inspection of the 98th Reg't, N. Y. Vols., which took place on Wednesday, the 23d inst.
The regiment is stationed in detachments along the line of the Newbern and Morehead Railroad, at Newport Barracks, Havelock, Crourton, Kingly's Mills and Rogue Sound Block House. The whole of the regiment was paraded for inspection except those on picket and fatigue duty. The arms, ammunition and accoutrements were in excellent order, and the clothing in very good condition. A few articles of equipments are needed to supply deficiencies for which requisition has been made.
In company and Battalion drill the officers and men seem to be very well instructed, and many of the company officers manifest much proficiency in manouvering the Battalion. The camp is well arranged and the company quarters kept in good order.—The kitchens are properly conducted and receive the attention of the company officers. The regimental and company books and accounts are kept in the proper manner and returns of property &c. promptly made.—The Hospital is admirably arranged, the beds raised, and medicines, blankets and other appliances for the sick fully supplied. The Sutler's store is reasonably supplied with goods, and prices affixed and published by a council of administration.
Many marked improvements are manifest in this reg't since the last inspection, and much credit is due to the commanding officers for the energy and zeal displayed in bringing the reg't up to a state of efficiency which will compare favorably with any reg't in the Brigade.
I am, Captain, very respectfully,
Your Ob't Serv't,
J. B. RAULSTON,
Capt. & Brig. Inspector.
Capt. W. H. ABEL, A. A. Genl., Heckman's Brig.

OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
From the 98th Regiment—Culmination of the disaffection, &c.
NEWPORT, N. C., JUNE 3, 1863.
FRIEND VAN CAMP:—I have at last got a bit of news for your readers. The ... consolidated into five companies and thereby hangs a tale. Ever since Lt. Colonel Wead has been in command of the Regiment, a majority of the line officers have evinced a feeling of bitter hostility towards him, which feeling increased in intensity until at length they swore by all the gods of war that they were "bound to get him out of the regiment somehow!" So they laid their heads together to accomplish the above object. How well they succeeded in getting him out the sequel will show. In the meantime Col. Wead set his wits to work, and the event has proved his superiority as a strategist, as he has completely euchered the conspirators," and instead of their getting him out, the "get out" is all the other way! A few weeks ago Gen. Foster received a communication, signed by all the Captains, (except one) and nearly all the Lieutenants in the regiment, setting forth that, inasmuch as Col. Wead was incompetent to command a regiment, and disliked by his men, therefore it was their desire that he be removed from command, or requested Williams is keenly felt by all the remaining officers and men in the Wayne Co. Companies. Gentlemanly in their deportment, kind and forbearing towards the men under them, they have won the respect and esteem of all. But they have been indiscreet and must suffer the consequences. Sergeants Chandler —to resign. Gen. Foster replied to the communication by informing the authors (in substance) that the course they had taken was highly improper and prejudicial to military discipline, adding that if Col. Wead had been guilty of any misdemeanor, their proper course was to prefer charges against him and try him by a court martial. Accompanying Gen. Foster's reply was an order for Col. Werd [sic] to consolidate [sic], and muster out of the service all the mutinous and inefficient officers in the regiment! Samson with his jaw-bone could not have caused greater consternation among the Philistines than did this order among the officers of the 98th. There were "blank looks in Dixie" about that time!—
Their ''pheelinks" at length found utterance in the simple expression—"sold!" They were literally delivered into the hands of the enemy, and the guillotine commenced its merciless work! All the Captains (save one) were mustered out, and a few of the Lieutenants. About 30 non-commissioned officers have also been mustered out of the service in accordance with Consolidation Order. Companies F. and D. are consolidated and called "Co, D.," and is for the present under the command of Lt. Rogers. Co.'s I. and K. go together under the name of "E." Lt. E. M. Allen commanding. The disposal of the remaining companies I need not mention as it would not interest the readers of the Press. The loss of Captains Adams and and Welch, and Corporal Seely, (all of Sodus,) are the Non-Commissioned Officers to be mustered out of Co. F. Good bye to the lucky fellows! They will probably all be home by the time this article is published. I have no further news of importance. The weather is delightful, and, blackberries and huckel berries ripe and plenty. What think you of that Wayne Countyans? Blackberries the 1st of June! But it is a fact or my name isn't. S. S. S.

The 98th—Wayne county Officers "mustered out," &c.
BROOKLYN, N. Y., June 13, 1863.
WM. VAN CAMP, ESQ.,—DEAR SIR:—Supposing that you have by this time heard of the consolidation of the 98th Regt., I thought perhaps you would like the facts for publication. As you and all your patrons, who take any interest in the regiment, are aware, there has for a long time existed an unfriendly feeling between Lieut. Col. Wead and his officers, which culminated in a request, signed by all the line officers, with a single exception, for Wead to resign. Instead of his complying with this request he went to Gen. Foster and by means of misrepresentation obtained an order for the consolidation of the regiment to five companies and allowing him to retain such officers as he saw fit. He was obliged to keep fifteen and so mustered out the most obnoxious of his enemies, which number included Capts. Kreutzer, Williams and Adams, Lieut. Russell from the Wayne portion, and five Captains and Lieutenants from the Franklin portion of the regiment. Kreutzer is now in South Carolina, and is not yet aware that he is out of the service. These are the facts of the case, and if you see fit to publish anything more concerning the unfortunate 98th, you may consider me as your authority for what is herein stated. The only officers who are at all displeased with this finale, are those who are obliged to remain with Lt. Col. Wead.
Yours, &c, A.

Consolidated.--We are informed by Capt. George N. Williams, who returned from the South on Saturday last, that the 98th Regiment N. Y. S. V., has been consolidated in a Battalion of five companies, and that thirteen officers, among whom are Captains Williams and Adams, of this place, were on account of the consolidation mustered out as supernumeraries. Capt. Adams is spending a few days with friends at Brooklyn, but will soon be home.
We are happy to know that both of these gallant officers bring the strongest testimonials, showing their uniform good conduct while in the service, and we scarcely need add that they will hold themselves ready to respond promptly to any call their country may hereafter make upon them.

The Ninety-Eighth.
An article appeared in this paper, on the 19th of June last, which charged Lieut. Col. Wead, of the Ninety-Eighth, with procuring the consolidation of the Regiment into five Companies "by means of misrepresentation." We wrote the article in good faith, and based the charge of misrepresentation upon what we deemed to be competent information.— Since that time, however, we have had an opportunity to examine copies of the official correspondence, and have become satisfied that we were not warranted by the facts in making the charge referred to above. As we understand the official papers, Lieut. Col. Wead did not go to Gen. Foster at all, but tendered his resignation, which was not accepted; but instead thereof the order for consolidating the Regiment was issued. We have no desire to assume the championship of Lieut. Col. Wead's cause; nor do we intend unjustly to assail him. Having however, charged upon him conduct of which it appears he was not guilty, it is no more than just that we should give him the benefit of this explanation.

Our Army Correspondence.
From the 98th Regiment.
Newport, N. C. July 4, '63.
FRIEND VAN CAMP:—Do you remember the first time you ever attended a 4th of July Celebration? What a host of pleasant memories arc associated with that brief sentence! How the mind will revert to the days of Auld lang Syne, "the sunny days of childhood," when with our first bright, new "quarter " burning in our pocket, we hastened to the "village" to celebrate the 4th! And how eagerly we invested the said quarter in fire crackers and gingerbread and felt that to be "Young America" was to be greater than a king! Ah, those were the days when we enjoyed 4th of July celebrations. Then we knew nothing of the cares and responsibilities of mature years, we knew nothing of political strifes and party quarrels, we knew not that an insidious enemy was even then sapping the foundations of our noble government. We were happy in the consciousness that our Fathers had fought and won our National Independence, and in our blissful ignorance of impending evil, we thought that "to-morrow would be even as to day and still more abundant."—The terrible scenes of blood and rapine that were eventually to be enacted in our land were mercifully hidden from our view by the dark veil of the Future. And as each Anniversary came and passed, and Heaven still smiled upon us, we began to think that our Government was indeed a Gibraltar that nought could move. But alas for the mutability of all human affairs! While we were basking in the sunshine of prosperity, and rocked in the cradle of fancied security, we were allowing traitors in our very midst to sow the seeds of discord that were eventually to spring up and ripen into a harvest of rebellion and blood! And today how do we celebrate this, our eighty-sixth Anniversary? Alas! Our “house is divided against itself,” and one million of our bravest sons are marshaled in deadly array against each other, and the loud-mouthed cannon, instead of booming a triumphant peal over the land, send the iron messenger of Death hissing and shrieking into the opposing ranks of men whose fathers fought side by side in the battle for independence! Gloomy indeed is the picture, and he is thrice a coward who dare not look the danger in the face and say that it requires the most skillful management of our officers, (both civil and military,) to save the country from utter ruin. And he is thrice a knave, who, at this time will sacrifice Patriotism for Party, and will uphold every act of an Administration that has done infinitely more to prolong the war, destroy the Union, and strengthen the rebellion, than all the Woods and Vallandighams on the continent could possibly do by their idle vaporings. We doubt whether ten soldiers have ever deserted on account of anything that has fallen from the lips of the above notables, while it is almost certain that we have lost several important battles through the intermeddling of the authorities at Washington. There should not be but one party at the North—that party should have but one aim, and that aim should be to induce every able-bodied man to offer his services to his country, and emulate the example set us by the rebels, of unity in purpose. The, and not till then shall we conquer. But I had almost forgotten to tell you what I intended to at the commencement of my letter, viz: We have had an old fashioned fourth of July celebration here to-day. At an early hour this morning, a salute of thirteen guns was fired, and the regiment drawn up in line of battle, then formed into a hollow square, when the Declaration of Independence was read by Lieut. Beman, then a quartette club extemporized for the occasion, sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” after which Col. Wead delivered a short speech and pithy address, which was replete with patriotism and encouragement, and was well received by the listeners. After the ceremonies were over eight or ten of the line officers equipped themselves for a “raid” to Bowge Sound. Each man was armed with a formidable weapon which has long been in use in the 98th, and which will probably hold about a pint when loaded.—Judging from the frequency with which the weapon was elevated, great execution must have been done somewhere. Be this as it may, just before dark the “raiders” returned safe and sound, and in the best of spirits. Our Qr. Master, (who, by the way, has a very fine voice,) was particularly patriotic and was singing a song, (or medly [sic]) which ran something after this fashion:

"When this cruel war is over,—
O long may it wave,—
'Tis the Star Spangled gem of the ocean,—
And we won't go home till morning!"

But it is getting towards the small hours of the night and I must draw my letter to a close, hoping that the citizens of Lyons have celebrated the 4th in a manner commensurate with their well known public spiritedness and patriotism. Yours, &c., S. S.

Consolidation of the 98th.
Under an order from Gen. Foster, commanding the 18th Army Corps, the 98th N. Y. V. was recently consolidated to five companies, and a number of the officers mustered out of service. Among those mustered out were Capts. ANDRUS, AUSTIN and WILLARD, and Adjutant HOBBS, of this place. They reached home on Monday night last, in company with several others, whose names we did not learn.
The 98th New York Volunteers were organized in 1861 by Colonel Dutton, in Wayne and Franklin counties, and served during the peninsular campaign. This regiment was also at the siege of Yorktown. It formed the advance guard of the Fourth corps in the preliminary occupation of Seven Pines, and suffered very severely at Fair Oaks, and were engaged in the battles of the memorable seven days. At Harrison's Landing Colonel Durkee succeeds to the command of the regiment Colonel Dutton dying. It was stationed at Yorktown til December, 1862, when it was sent to North Carolina, and accompanied the Foster expedition to South Carolina. Here Colonel Durkee resigned, and Lieutenant Colonel F. F. Wead took command, and still retains it. During the summer of 1863 the regiment took part in guarding the outposts in North Carolina, since which time it has been stationed at Pung Landing, in Princess Anne county, Va., under General Ledlie, where it has performed important service in capturing guerrillas, with which this section of the country is infested; it also captured the important mail which has aided General Butler so much on his important arrests in Norfolk and Portsmouth.

DEATH OF A MEMBER OF THE 98TH REGIMENT.—The Commercial learns that private Frederick Bosing, of the 98th Regiment, N. G., died in the hospital at Elmira on Sunday afternoon last, from dysentery. The deceased belonged in West Seneca. There were nineteen additional cases of dysentery in camp.

The 98th Regiment.
Capt. W. H. Rogers, of the 98th, has opened a Recruiting office at the Armory, over Althen's Clothing Store, and is desirous of getting a few recruits for this Veteran Regiment. The 98th is attached to General Ledlie's Veteran New-York Brigade, now at home on thirty days' furlough, having reenlisied for three years. The Brigade is serving in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina. Those who enlist before the 1st of April, get all the bounties.

Rochester Veterans of the 98th Regiment.—The Provost Marshal has been notified that the following named men of Co. K, 98th N. Y. Vols., have re-enlisted and are credited on the muster rolls to the City of Rochester, but it is necessary that they should report themselves in order to obtain the County Bounty:—Thos. Tait, Clark A. Page, Clarence W. Hawke, Geo. Bradley, Tabor Burrows, Wm. Cook, James B. Cleveland, John Dubloo, Alonzo Daily, James P. Eighmy, Peter Feller, Daniel Finnegan, Wm. Higbie, Jas. Loor, John G. Omans, Wm. Perrin, John Pope, John Phillips, Melvin M. Phillips, Ashel Ross, Edward Smith, Robert Smith, Daniel Willis and Peter Wooley.

Promoted.
Lt.-Col. Wead, of the 98th Regiment, has been promoted to the Colonelcy of the Regiment. To Col. W., more than to any other man, belongs the credit of restoring the 98th to its present honorable standing—he having brought order out of chaos. Col. Wead is a strict disciplinarian, and is beloved by both officers and men.

The 98th at Yorktown.
Letters from the 98th, inform us that this Regiment is at Yorktown, Va., and in good health. It is not expected to stay there long, but will take part in the operations against Richmond, in which direction it may have started ere this.
Wounded New York Soldiers.
We received on Saturday, from Col. NORTH, the State Agent at Washington, the following list of wounded soldiers of New York Regiments who arrived on transports at Alexandria, June 7th:
Ninety-Eight Regt.—John Slack, Isaac Foster. T. Kelly, Edsall Corkins, J. Buchannan, Philip Scropp, Wm. Knapp, Elijah Swift, Judson Ransom, Julius P. Long, Chas. Rivers, Geo. Watters, Sylvester Stanhope.

FROM THE NINETY-NINTH.
Pongo Bridge, Va., Dec. 22d, 1863. To the Editor of the Lyons Republican:
Perhaps a few words in relation to the present condition of this Regiment may not be uninteresting to your readers.
The Regiment now numbers four hundred men; and I venture to say that four hundred finer-appearing or better-disciplined men cannot be found in the United States Service, than are those who compose the rank and file of the Ninety-Eighth. Company F, Captain Krentzer's Company, occupies the right of the Battalion, Captain K being the Senior Captain of the Regiment. On the 21st instant the Regiment was inspected by Captain W. H. Rogers, and I subjoin a copy of his report, which you are at liberty to publish.
Yours, &c., S. S. S.
Pongo Bridge, Va., Dec. 21st, 1863.
Lieut. STANTON, Adjutant Ninety Eighth N. Y. V.:—I have the honor to report, that pursuant to orders from Head Quarters, December 20th, I inspected the Regiment, commencing on the right of the line. Company F was formed by its commanding officer, and I found the men, and their arms and accoutrements, in the most complete order. The quarters of the men were in very good condition, and the culinary department neat and clean. The remaining Companies of the right wing had their arms and accoutrements in good condition, although I noticed a few of the men were without Haversacks and Canteens. The left wig of the Regiment was not in so good condition, having just returned from an expedition; the men not having had time to clean their arms and accoutrements. It is gratifying to observe the continued improvement of the men in all that pertains to cleanliness and discipline.
Respectfully, Your Ob't Serv't,
W. H. Rogers, Capt. 98th N. Y. V.

PONGO BRIDGE. VA.,
FEB. 10, 1864.
EDITOR PRESS: — An article appears in the Lyons Republican of the 5rh inst., the writer of which vents a little harmless ill-humor over my account of the manner in which Col. Wead's case was disposed of. When I wrote the article which called out the ire of "Ninety Eighth," I had not seen the order of Gen. Butler, and as Col. Wead's case had been dismissed without a Court Martial, I supposed that his action had been sustained. As soon as I discovered my error, I obtained a copy of the order and forwarded it to the Press office, and if "Ninety Eighth" had been patient a few days he would probably have had the pleasure of reading the order in the Press. But my dear "Ninety-Eighth," aren't you assuming most too much when you say that Col. W. did wrong and that's the whole story? That is a mere matter of opinion you know! I have heard a great many different opinions of the matter, and much its own way. It was such a country as this which Dante and Bunyan had in the eye of their imagination when they described the region and valley of the shadow of death. The rivers neither fall nor flow. They have no current only as the wind blows, and are dark, sullen and sluggish as Lethe, the river of Death. In such an unhealthy and uninviting place, the 98th and 81st, New York Regiments of Volunteers were sent in last November, to hunt guerrillas in the woods and swamps and marshy islands.
The 81st is encamped at North-West Landing, on the North-West Landing River, a few miles from the Dismal Swamp. The 98th is at Pungo Bridge, the last place in the world. Porte Crayon in Harpers' Magazine gives a penciling of this crossing. Our fortune for the last year gave us camps from bad to worse. But now the future brightens. This is a good place to start again from.
We have broken up two guerrilla camps; captured about fifty of them, and driven the rest out of the country. Together with the 96th N. Y. V., which is at Coinjock, N. C., we have made a raid into Camden and Currituck Counties of North Carolina, and driven the investing bands of guerrillas beyond the Pasquotank, so that we now protect all the country east of the Dismal Swamp Canal.
The inside communication between Norfolk and Newburn, N. C. is effected by three relays (so to speak,) of Steamers. The first makes three trips a week between Norfolk and Coinjock; the second runs at the same time from Coinjock to Roanoke Island, meeting the boat from Norfolk through the canal; the third, connects Roanoke Island with Newburn.
The people who inhabit this district described, are very much behind those of any other place with which we are acquainted, in schools, general intelligence, agriculture, and all the luxuries and conveniences of life. More than half of those who have come to our camp to take the oath of allegiance are unable to write their names. When the sate of Virginia adopted the ordinance of secession, not one man in Princess Anna County voted against it. The greatest of all sins is ignorance, here as everywhere.
They raise corn and hogs and have but little else to subsist them. They have no wagons, but use a sort of one horse, two-wheeled cart, such as is seen among the poor class in Lower Canada.
This cart answers for pleasure, business and farm work. When the women Ride in them, they spread a quilt in the bottom, and use no other seat. The plowing is all done with one horse. They have no mills, but windmills, no saw-mills, but whipsaws. Their conveniences are limited to the barest necessities; they have a few books, but those who can read and write, have no pleasure in those qualifications.
Before the war, they knew nothing of the North. They doubtless thought this miserable country the fairest in the world. What a place to sow the seeds of secession! What a fit haunt for guerrillas!
Our soldiers call all these people crackers, and to illustrate their pronunciation we will take the word Coinjock, which is pronounced according to its othography. The English word is corn-jack, which with them means corn whisky.
I have thus, in this rapidly written letter, given you the lay of the land, and the condition and civilization of its inhabitants. In a subsequent communication, I shall not need to be so geographical. Respectfully,
W. KREUTZER.

The 98th on the Peninsula—Concentration of Troops—Probable Course of the Army—Recantation of Charges, &c., &c.
YORKTORN, VA.,
April 23d, 1864.
FRIEND VAN CAMP:—Once more we are encamped on the banks of the York River, near the site of ground we occupied a year and a half ago. From present indications, the far-famed Peninsula is to be the theatre of our operations this Summer. We left New York on the 18th inst., and landed at this place on the 20th. We were joined by the detachment from Pongo on the 21st.—Troops are rapidly concentrating at this place and at Gloucester Point, on the opposite side of the river. There is no doubt but that a strong column is to move up the Peninsula, when the army of the Potomac moves forward.
We have just drawn new arms, and Col. Wead is actively engaged in re-organizing the regiment, and we shall be ready for active service in the field in a few days.
And now I wish to correct a mis statement that I made in my last letter to the Press. I stated that a large number of the "boys" were slightly inebriated at the time we left Lyons. I have since learned, upon the best authority, that I was totally mistaken, as not one of them had drank anything stronger than water for three days previous to our leaving Lyons! I therefore cheerfully correct all I said upon the subject, and solemnly affirm that I was the only individual who was drunk upon that occasion! And I further aver that every member of the 98th—line officers included—is also a member of the State Temperance Society, a Carson league man, and in favor of the Maine Law! So it is quite evident that I was greatly mistaken in my idea of the matter. I have also learned that the army is the best place in the world for the cultivation of all the Christian graces. Now I trust this apology is satisfactory to all interested.
Yours, truly, S. S. S.

Letter from the Army,
CAMP NEAR BERMUDA HUNDRED, VA.,
May 26th, 1864.
Mr. CLEVELAND, DEAR SIR:—About three months ago, I wrote you from the swamps and morasses of Pungo. Having leisure there, I thought I would have time to write you frequently; but three-fourths of our regiment having re-enlisted, the veterans were allowed to go North, and I was placed in command of the detachment left behind. At nearly the same time a squadron of the First district of Columbia Cavalry, and a detachment of the 96th N. Y. V., were ordered to report to me, and went into camp at Pungo. The forces at the station numbered over five hundred men, I had therefore the rank and power of King of Pungo: a position, which in my most sanguine expectations, I had not hoped to attain.—We had a large country extending from beyond the Court House of Princess Ann, to Knots Island, to govern, watch, and guard. In all that country there was no civil government, and every case of public or private wrong came under the cognizance of the military commandant.
The principal duties besides those strictly military, are to catch guerrillas and rebel soldiers on furloughs, to enforce the collection of debts, to apprehend criminals, and send them to the Provost Court at Norfolk, to administer the oath of allegiance to those who chose to take it, and, in general, to exercise all the rights and discharge the duties of a conservator of the Peace. Transcending the powers vested in me, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I gave freedom to one slave. The matter is on record, and whenever I am compelled to meet it, I certainly shall be ready.
On the 20th of April, we received orders to embark the detachments of the 98th and 96th N. Y. V., with their regimental baggage on board of barges, and proceed to Yorktown, and there report to the regimental Commanders, this will apear [sic] no small matter, when the tents, commissary stores, arms and ammunition of two regiments, enter in to consideration. At Norfolk, we were obliged to transfer all these stores on board of the United States Steam Transport “Webster.” Leaving Pungo at 7 A. M., 21st of April, we arrived at Norfolk at 2 P. M., and at 11 P. M., had our command and all our baggage on board the Webster. In the afternoon, Major Gen. Butler telegraphed from Fort Monroe to Brigadier Gen. Ledlee, our Brigade commander, that the detachments of the 96th and 98th should be paid before leaving Norfolk. Accordingly, a few minutes after eleven, we marched the detachment of the 96th to the office of Paymaster Crane, who occupied the building formerly owned by the Bank of Virginia, and two hours later the detachment of the 98th was paraded for payment at the same place. At 4 A. M. of the 22d, we were all on board the transport, steaming down Elizabeth River on our way to Yorktown. Gen. Ledlee and his staff embarked with us. The General is a man of ordinary size, of intelligent, round, full countenance. He comes from Auburn, N. Y.; was with gen. Burnside in his expedition to North Carolina as Colonel to the 3d N. Y. Artillery. He was recommended for promotion by Gen’s. Burnside and Foster, and accordingly appointed a Brigadier by the president, but has never been confirmed. He is now in the army of the Potomac, and has distinguished himself in the battle of the Wilderness.
On the afternoon of the 22d of April, we arrived at Yorktown, disembarked, and marched to our Regimental camp.
We were surprised to find the River full of transports of the largest size. There were the Arago and Fulton, ocean steamers, vessels with which we became acquainted at Hilton Head, in the Department of the South. On the river, the whole 10th Army Corps was encamped; on the southern shore, the white tents of the 18th Army Corps threw back the rays of the declining sun. At Yorktown, all was animation and military bustle. On the high and level bluffs we saw batteries, regiments and brigades drilling. The roads were full of army wagons, trains of artillery, squadrons of cavalry and marching battalions. The wharves were filled with Quartermaster’s, Commissaries and Ordnance stores.
When the troops entered this place in 1862, it was a filthy, dilapidated and disgusting place, in which no building had been erected since 1828. Our troops drained it, cleaned it out, and improved it in a hundred ways. They have built new roads, extended and completed the fortifications and constructed several large buildings for public stores.
In times of peace it was a miserable dirty fish and oyster depot, and nothing more.
About one mile east and south of the village, is the old battle-ground between Washington and Lord Cornwallis. The entrenchments are still visible; and a wooden railing encloses the place where the latter stood when he surrendered his sword to General Lincoln.
The entrenchments, fort and parallels made by Gen. McClellan have been filled up or leveled, but the ground is sacred and still shows the former situation. As you pass around the hills or through the ravines and hollows, dug out, notched, or shaved by him, you are forcibly impressed with the idea that the greater part of this digging was done to while away time.
The land on this side of the river is sandy, worn out and barren. It would not be difficult to select two or three farms in Yates County, which produce annually more fruit than all the land on the Peninsula betwen [sic] Fort Monroe and Williamsburg.
What the chivalric habits of the people and the institution of slavery wanted, to complete the ruin of this country the war has supplied. In fact, over every part of this large, and beautiful State, from East to West, from North to South, the smouldering fires of time burn. Houses that in former peaceful days were filled with costly furniture, and which constituted the homes of an intelligent and peculiar civilization, are now tenantless, broken up, or burned to the ground. Barns in which the produce of several successive years was stored, have been burned or torn down the contents exposed to the weather until spoiled, or taken to supply the army trains. Horses, cattle, stock, the wealth of these large plantations, have disappeared in a similar way. Only enough of these remains to show how great the destruction has been. In the paths of these large armies, the forests have been slashed and burned; the fences, gardens, fruit trees, growing grain, bridges, mills and roads are destroyed. The operations of business, and the industrial pursuit are stifled and paralyzed. The fountains of wealth intelligence and morality, are dried up and all the channels of civil progress and polity are swept away. The ruin and desolation is incalculable and complete. The avenging Nemisis has kindled her fires of retribution in the bosom of the mother of Presidents.
Compared with what the inhabitants of Virginia have suffered and lost, the campaign of Jena was a reign of peace and plenty to the Russian nobility.
While at Yorktown, the great duestion [sic] which excited the interest of every one was, what is intended by assembling so many troops here? It was amusing to hear the shrewd guesses and the various attempts at sagacity.
The majority supposed we were going up the Peninsula to Richmond.—Others suggested that we were to cooperate with Grant, but then why assemble at Yorktown?
To the sagacity of others, Texas, Charleston, Florida, seemed the most probable destination of the expedition. When our baggage was ordered to Norfolk, we began to think that the James would be the base of our future operations.
About the first of May we were ordered to have five days cooked rations constantly on hand, and to be prepared to march at a moments notice. On the morning of the 4th, we received instructions to proceed to the wharf, and embark seven companies on board of the Prometheus, and three on the Pocosin; these are small steamers in the employment of the Government, neither of sufficient capacity to carry our whole regiment.
We embarked and left Yorktown at a few minutes after 5 P. M. We arrived in Hampton Roads at 2 A. M. of the 5th, and casting anchor, waited for orders. The Roads are full of transports, tugs, gunboats, and other vessels of every class and size. The sun had barely turned red the eastern waves of the ocean, when a small tug-boat came alongside, and a stag officer of Gen. Marston, our Brigade commander, came on board and directed that we proceed to Newport News, and take our position in the line of transports. By ten o'clock the whole expedition was assembled off Newport News, and a hour later we were all steaming up the James River, the 10th army corps leading the advance, the gunboats having gone some hours before. In the expedition were nearly forty vessels loaded black with men. We are under marching orders again, and I must get ready to march.
Respectfully,
W. K.

Army Correspondence.
LETTER FROM THE 98TH REGIMENT.
CAMP 98TH REGIMENT, N. Y. V.,
BERMUDA HUNDREDS, May 17, 1864.
EDITORS PALLADIUM:—Presuming any information from the 98th will be welcome, I do not hesitate to address you a few lines, giving you a partial history of the Regiment for the past few days. The movement of the 18th Army Corps from Yorktown, its landing at Bermuda Hundreds, and march to the front, is already known to you, and it is needless for me to recapitulate. The movement of Brook's Division, to which we are attached, to the front, to the Petersburgh and Richmond Railroad, on the 9th inst,, you probably are apprised of before this. But what I wish to communicate is the last advance of our Corps.
On the 12th inst., the Regiment moved from camp to the right towards the James River, edging up to Fort Darling, driving the rebel skirmishers steadily before them till in the vicinity of the Fort, they manifested themselves more on the defensive, and seemed disposed to dispute our further advance. Friday night found our skirmishers, Companies H and D, in possession of the advance rifle-pits of the rebels at which place two out of Company D, and four of H, were killed and a number wounded. Saturday, the Regiment called in the pickets and fell back and threw up some defences, where it lay quietly till Monday morning at daybreak. Under cover of a thick fog, the enemy made an impetuous attack upon the right of Heckman's Brigade, which was soon pushed back, which left the 98th on the left exposed to an enfilading fire from the rear. ''But Franklin's Own" was equal to the emergency, and stood their ground till almost surrounded, when they filed off as steady as veterans, and by their steadiness and courage, saved the Brigade from a perfect rout. It was here the lamented Phelps was shot dead, doing his duty as a brave man and efficient officer. From this attack, the Regiment retired steadily and in good order for half a mile, and waited for the expected attack, which came about 11 o’clock, by an overwhelming force. It was here our heaviest loss was sustained. But the men, amid a perfect tornado of shot and shell, stood up like men and returned the fire with coolness and efficiency. Recruits who never were under fire before proved themselves men, brave and cool, when it would not be surprising if veterans wavered under such a fire.
The Regiment returned to camp last night, worn out with exposure and fatigue, having been exposed to an almost incessent [sic] rain after leaving camp till their return, confident of their ability to cope with any force of rebels not twice their number on equal ground. The loss of comrades has cast a gloom over our once noisy camp, and all around, you see groups in quiet tones, discussing the battle and the hair breadth escapes, and regreting [sic] the loss of loved and dear associates. But nothing like fear or want of confidence is seen or heard.
The aggregate loss is 103; killed 14 men, and 1 officer, Lieut. A. B. PHELPS. Quite a number are slightly wounded. Our friend AMES had a narrow escape; a ball just touched his leg below the knee. In Co. C, Thomas Holden, killed; F. C. Smith, supposed to be mortally wounded—shot through the throat; Alex. Vania, Constable, missing, not known whether captured or killed; Joseph Oak, shot in the hand; Jonas Hurlbert, slightly wounded; John St. Dennis, wounded in fingers. In Co. A, no casualties occurred and none are missing. Co. B, wounded 2, missing 0. Co. C, 1 killed, 12 wounded, 1 missing. Co. D, 2 killed, 6 wounded, 4 missing. Co. E, 3 wounded, 3 missing. Co. F, 3 wounded. Co. G, 1 officer, 13 men wounded. Co. H, 1 officer, A. B. Phelps, 6 men killed—Sergt. Archie J. Stewart, Antoine Walling, John Malette, Augustine Cole, Wilbur Berry; 1 officer and 8 men wounded. Co. I, 5 killed—1 officer, 12 men wounded, 3 missing. This account may be imperfect but as near as we can get at facts at this time. The missing are supposed to be prisoners.
For the past week, there has been one continued rain, making it uncomfortable in the woods, but not so oppressive as the hot dry, weather. The rumor to-night is, that we are to march to the front in the morning. The health and spirits of the men is excellent.
Truly yours,
THOMAS REA.

Letter from Adjutant Stanton.
We are permitted to publish the following, from a private letter from Adjutant Stanton, of the 98th, N. Y. V.:
IN THE FIELD, PORT WALTHALL, VA.,
May 18, 1864.
On the 6th inst., we landed at Lower Hundred Landing on the South side of the James river. The 6th we marched to near our present camp and encamped. The afternoon of that day, Gen. Heckman's brigade had a little affair with the enemy, in which he lost some 20 or 30 men. For two or three days there was skirmishing, but the 98th was not engaged.
On the 9th our Division, and in fact a large portion of the force advanced to within three miles of Petersburgh, tore up a large portion of the track of the Richmond and Petersburgh railroad, and our Regiment with the others bivouacked within three miles of Petersburgh for the night. The next morning, having accomplished the object of the expedition, we returned to camp. In a skirmish on the 9th, we had five men wounded, only one—Stephen Premo, Co. H, slightly--from Franklin County.
On the 12th our Regiment with the rest of the available force here, started on a demonstration on the Rebel Forts on Drewry's Bluffs. Our forces advanced without much opposition to within two miles of the forts. Our forces gradually drove the enemy before them and by afternoon of the 10th were at the base of the Bluff in full sight of the enemy's works, having driven them out of rifle pit and breastworks, and occupied them ourselves. (I only speak of the operations in which the 98th took part.)—All day Sunday we lay in front of the rebel works, a constant fire kept up by the sharpshooters on both sides. On Monday morning the 16th, at 5 o'clock, the enemy having completely flanked our position, commenced a furious attack. They completely overrun Heckman's brigage [sic] who were on the right of us, in a few minutes. In the meantime the 98th had formed and was ready for them, as well as it should be. They coming in on our flank, and there being such a dense fog that it was impossible to see more than ten feet. The Regiment remained in our rifle pits and gave the enemy a few rounds. Here it was Lieut. Phelps was killed, with a number of others killed and wounded. We then found the enemy was in our rear, when Col. Wead gave the order to change front to rear on tenth Co. About the time our new line was formed we discovered through the mist a force in front of us. Some one called out, “What Regiment is that?” “23d Va.,” was the reply. “23d Va., take that,” was the quick reply, as our boys opened on them with a tremendous and well directed fire. Our Regiment kept up its fire here until the Regiments on our right and left fell back, when the force in front, having fallen back, the Regiment fell back a short distance out of the woods into a cleared field. Here we lost heavily. Gen. Heckman has since been missing—probably a prisoner, and a good many field and line officers, and brave men. At this time our Regiment was attached to Heckman s Brigade, and Col. Wead being the senior officer present, took command, leaving Capt. Kreutzer in command of the Regiment. About 9 o'clock A. M., the enemy again made their appearance, and commenced a furious assault on our position.—Col. Wead at once advanced the Brigade, and a furious fight commenced, gradually driving the enemy before us. The 98th here, as before, doing nobly, and bearing its full share in the perils of the light, losing quite heavily. We drove back the enemy, when we retired to our original position. Our position in line was afterwards somewhat changed, but nothing else of an important character took place until late in the afternoon when the order to return to camp came, and Col. Wead was ordered to remain with his provissional [sic] Brigade, consisting of the 98th N. Y., 8th Me., and 21st Conn. And a battery, as Rear Guard. We remained on the ground until 4 1/2 P. M., when we started in rear of the whole force, reaching camp in safety, about 8 P. M.
The 98th fought bravely and nobly whenever engaged, and marched with very few stragglers.
Our loss is quite heavy, including Lieut. Phelps, who fell nobly doing his duty, Subjoined I give a list of killed, wounded and missing:
Co. B.—Wounded—Corp. J. McGrath, severely; Private H. H. King, severely. Missing— Sergt. J. McCarty, Corp. Wm. Danford, Priv't's A. Collins, T. Gerard, Sam. Joy, A. Lancto, A Levitt, C. H. Totman, D. Murphy.
Co. C.—Killed—Wm. Holden. Wounded—Corp. P. C. Smith, dangerously; Privates James Collins, severely; A. Van Gorden, since died Joseph Oak, severely; Wm. Rodman, slightly John St. Dennis, slightly; Jas. Wood, slightly John Wood, seriously; D. Walsh, slightly; J. Hurlbut, slightly; W. Vredenburgh, do; T. Vredenburgh, do. Missing—Alex. Vanyea.
Co. D—Killed—Geo. Green, Joseph Crocker. Wounded—Sergt. J. M. H. Davis, severely; Corp. Nathan Young, severely; Privates J. Gremore, severely; J. S. Hill, severe;y; C. La May, severely; J. Thomas, severely. Missing—S. Judd, J. McAvon, Jas. Perkins, N. Jollivett.
Co. E—Wounded—Cornelius Reiley, dangerously; Jas. Burns, slightly; Peter Alderbroon, severely. Missing—C. Barber, J. St. Eves, Oliver Martin.
Co. F.—Wounded—Corp. N. M. Sickles, slightly; Privates C. Case, slightly; Edward Gates, severely.
Co. G.—Wounded—Lt. F. C. Beaman, slightly; Sergt. M. Griffin, slightly; Privates E. Bastion, slight; H. Bellows, slight; Julius Jarvis, severely; Jas. Kelly, slight, D. McDonald, severely; W. McNall, slight, M. I. McNall, severely; Ed. Johndro, severely; J. Chalifour, slight; C. Jason, slight; J. Chase, slight. Missing—Lewis Rolland. Co. H.—Killed—2d Lieut. A. B. Phelps, Sergt. Archibald Stewart; Privates J. Malette, A. Walling, A. Cole, W. Berry, J. Badger.—Wounded—1st Lieut. O. P. Ames, slightly; Corp. C. E. Brooks, slight; Privates A. Capstraw, do; W. Goyette, slight; Ed. Cady, severely; A. Billings, do; Josh Rosell, severely; J. Laclair, slightly; A. Larock, slightly.
Co. I.—Killed—Corp. A. Putney, Privates Geo. Cocker, Ed. Brownell, Brian Carlin, John W. Gray. Wounded—1st Lt. A. S. Harris, slight; Privates John Toohey, severely; J. Finegan, slight; W. Clohassy, severely; W. Flynn, slight; H. M. Cornlis, severely; J. R. Derwyea, slight; J. Kelley, do; J. Phillips, ds; W. Luther, slight; H. Toping, severely; J. Welch, slight; J. Rose, slight. Missing—J. Bombeck, R. E. Brinckerhoff, Lawrence Shears.
Co. K.—Wounded—Corp. W. Carr, dangerously, James Stanton, slightly, Jas. Batraw, slight. Missing—Corp. Twohey, Privates A. Rose, Medore Jollivet.
The loss of the Regiment is:
Killed— Commissioned officers 1.
Enlisted men 14.
Wounded—Commissioned officers 8.
Enlisted men 62.
Missing— " " 24.
Total 104.
We had a very hard march while we were out, which told heavily on the men, but we are here safe now, and are well able to hold our position, we think, against anything the enemy may bring against us.

From the Ninety-Eighth Regiment.
GAINES' MILLS, VA., June 4, 1864.
DEAR FATHER: I got letters from you and sister last night, and I assure you they were most welcome. They found me in the rifle pits in front of a Rebel fort, laying pretty close in order to save my precious hide from getting a hole through it. We left White House on Tuesday afternoon about four o'clock, and by the same time next day had marched thirty miles, reaching a place called Cold Harbor, and at once formed line and went into a fight. Our brigade went in toward the last, and did not sutler very severely, but after dark our regiment was put into a position to support a line of breastworks just captured from the Rebels, and we were told that we must lie low and not fire, as our men were in the works ahead of us.
During the night and next day we got pretty badly peppered, the Rebels having a flanking fire on us, and as it could not be returned, was galling enough. We got out of that Thursday afternoon, had a night's sleep, and started for the front at four o'clock a. m. yesterday. We were drawn up in line, and charged upon some rifle pits that the Rebels had thrown up to cover a fort; we took the pits, but paid pretty dearly for it. Colonel Mead was killed, and our regiment lost probably seventy-five men in killed and wounded.
Of the boys from Newburgh, Alvah Miller was killed, and George Higgs and Elijah Swift wounded—don't know how badly; Wm. H. Knapp, wounded; Wm. C. Rodman, slightly; John Hayes, severely; David S. Jamison, severely; Samuel Leeper, in the leg; Dennis Walsh, in arm; Victor Schreeder, slightly; Corporal John McCleary, in side and arm; John E. Ward, missing.
I am alone in my glory just now: Captain Anderson was left behind at Bermuda Hundred as too unwell to march; Sneed has been quite unwell since our arrival at Drury's Bluff, but managed to keep his end up till we got pretty near here; that long march, however, was too much for him, he had to fall to the rear and I have not seen him since, but have heard from him; I am in hopes that a few days rest will bring him around all right. As for me I am in as good health as a man could have the cheek to ask for in this life, the principal difficulty being a very sufficient appetite and precious little to stop its grumbling.
Yours, &c, KEARN.

From the 98th Regiment.
HEADQUARTERS 98TH N. Y. VOLS.,
IN THE TRENCHES IN FRONT OF PETERSBURGH
June 28th, 1864.
We are permitted to copy the following from a private letter from Adjutant STANTON:
Have not written you for some days, have been so busy and completely worn out that I could not muster courage to do anything only what I was obliged to do. The weather is very hot and the dust is terrible. The trenches we occupy are about 1000 yards from the center of the City of Petersburgh. We have an excellent view of the city, and can see the cars going in and out of the place—and most of the shells, thrown from our batteries at the city, go over our heads, which are a great deal pleasanter than those of the rebels—thrown in return. The line of works in our front occupied by the enemy, are about 100 yards from us, and it is pretty dangerous to show one's head above our breastworks.
The morning of the 24th, about 8 o'clock, the enemy opened on us a tremendous fire of artillery, from about 24 guns, and kept it up about three quarters of an hour, and then made a charge on our lines. We repulsed them easily, and made it so hot for them that those who reached our front line of works, consisting of "Gopher" holes for our skirmishers, and occupied by a portion of our Regiment, were glad to give themselves up as prisoners, some willingly and some with rather bad grace. We took in all about 500 prisoners, and must have killed and wounded upwards of a hundred more. Among the prisoners were five Commissioned Officers. The 98th sustained a loss of 5 killed, 10 wounded and 27 missing. The following is a list of the names:
Co. A.—Killed—Pt. Phillip Lynch. Missing—Sergts. James Dickey, Frederick Howard, Pts. William Drew, John Martin, Ephraim Bova, R. A. Wescott, Oliver Ashlaw, Regis Petell, Antoine Wallett.
Co. B.—Killed—Pts. Napoleon Hibert, Chas. Morgan. Wounded 1st Sergt. John McCollough, in head slight; Thos. Warner, head and arm, severe; Elias Parmenter, slight; T. H. Rogers, slight; Wm. Waterman, slight. Missing—Pts. Owen Glinn, Russell Laporte.
Co. C—Killed—Pt. John Thomas. Wounded—Pt. Abram Franse, slight. Missing—1st Sergt, H. H. Lyon, Sergt. Hugh Mackinson, Pt. Charles Rogers.
Co. D.—Missing—Corps. John Tryon, Marvin Murry, Pts. Henry H. Brown, Russell Bourdway, Peter Denio, Israel Disotell, Francis Degatte, John Dunn, Fred Modix, Benjamin Pecor.
Co. E.—Wounded—Pt. Joseph Roselle, in leg, slight.
Co. F.—Wounded—Pt. Patrick Farrell, head and arm, severe.
Co. I.—Killed—Pt. Charles Bowen. Wounded—Pt. James Johnson, in head, slight.
Co. K—Wounded—Pt. John C. Omans, in head, severe. Missing—Pts. Geo. H. Arnold, Geo. Bradley, Wm. C. Cook, Ira Smith, Moses Bourelle.
On the 25th, Sergt. Isaac Foster, Co. H, was wounded in the head, and to-day, Corp. Francis Holmes, Co. G, was wounded in the head. I believe these are all the casualties since my last. D. H. S.

Letter from Lieutenant Commandant Oakley.
CHAPIN'S BLUFF, VA., September 30, 1864.
DEAR FATHER: We had a severe fight yesterday, in which the First Division bore a glorious part. It carried a splendid line of works, three forts, capturing twenty-two guns, mostly heavy 100 pounders. Our loss is slight in comparison to the position we took, and if we can hold it, will give the Johnnies some trouble. I am all right, not a scratch. We had only seven men wounded in the company and none killed. Bill Sheridan, Charles Secor and Al Van Keuren were all the Newburg boys that were hit—none severely.
Excuse the quality of the paper; it's the best the Johnnies had on hand.
Yours in a hurry. Will write again soon.
KEARN

From the 98th Regiment.
CAMP OF THE 98TH REGIMENT,
October 3d, 1864.
EDITORS PALLADIUM—The 98th left here last Wednesday, leaving their tents standing, and taking nothing but their overcoats and rubber blankets. They crossed the James River at Dutch Gap, and were engaged in the battle near Chapin's Farm, which you have probably seen an account of ere this. I have just procured an official list of the killed, wounded and missing, and will give you the names of those from Franklin County.
Killed, 4—Lyman Miller, Co. C; Horace Smith, D; Corp. John W. Brown, E; Judson Cheeney, G. Mortally Wounded—Sergt. Patrick Mannix, Co. A.; Newell Jollivet, D.
Wounded—Co. A—Wm. Blair, Jeremiah Haskin, Joseph Tenoff.
Co. B—Peter J. Martin.
Co. C—Corp. John St. Dennis, Sidney Manning.
Co. D—Sergt. Lyman Brown, Sergt. J. M. H. Davis, Benj. Neeley, Edsell Perkins.
Co. E—Peter Graham, Jas. Burns, William Sellers.
Sergt. J. W. Adams, Horace Bellows, Aaron Sargent, Peter Jock, George E. Clark, M. R. Maxam, H. D. Keeler, J. McCullom, Peter Rushford, Alex. Neddo.
Co. H—Sergt. Eusebe Lalime, Corp. Frank Myers, Corp. G. A. Wright, Amos Arell, Jas. Laclare.
Severely wounded, 22
Slightly " 27
Besides the killed and wounded, there are 21 missing and Peter Dorsey taken prisoner.
Among the officers, Capt. Allen and Lieut. Booth were severely wounded, and Capt. Gile and Capt. Rogers, slightly.
The Regiment still occupies the works taken on Thursday, and it is quite probable our camp will be moved in a few days, as they are suffering for their tents and blankets.
Yours in haste, AMES.

ALBANY EVENING JOURNAL.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPT. 6, 1865.
UNION STATE CONVENTON.
The Union Electors of this State who supported the Administration of ABRAHAM LINCOLN in the prosecution of the war against treason, and all who are in favor of sustaining the Administrations of ANDREW JOHNSON and REUBEN E. FENTON are requested to ....

Letter from Lieutenant Commanding Oakley.
FORT HARRISON, VA., October 13, 1864.
Friend Martin:
Enclosed please find Richmond Enquirer of the 1st inst. Among the personals is one addressed to a Mrs. Parke, of Newburgh, referring to the death of some friend in Richmond, which I guess wouldn't lend much aid and comfort to the enemy to communicate to her.
The Ninety-Eighth is in capital health and spirits. Our brigade, with the One Hundred and Forty-Eighth and One Hundred and Fifty-Eighth New York, are at present garrisoning the fort, under the able command of Colonel Jourdan, formerly of the Fifty-Sixth. Connelly, as Adjutant General keeps things running admirably, while Gerard as Commissary leaves nothing to be wished for in the subsistence line.
We have been busy as beavers since the fort was taken, and now have a work that we think will cost Jeff more men to take back than he can afford to pay for it. We hear that our forces on the right of us have carried another line of breastworks this morning, somewhere near the Newmarket road, I think.
Jeff's men are evidently getting demoralized. They had a lot of Richmond Militia in front of us, but these deserted so fast that they took them away and put some Georgia troops in their place; but these proved worse than the others, for the first night twelve of them came over to our picket line and gave themselves up. They are from the Savanna Blues, a fancy Regiment got up for the defence of that city. Yesterday they changed them again, but without much better success, as the presence of three of them in our camp this morning testifies. Their officers go on the vidette line now to keep the pickets from slipping off. Occasionally one of the officers slips off too. They begin to realize that the pins are being knocked out from under their Confederacy, and that it is best for a prudent man to stand from under. With the election of Lincoln and Johnson, the last peg will start, and then look out for a smash in Dixie. The enclosed paper is from Sergeant Charley Barr.
Yours, truly, OAK.
The following is the "Personal" from the Enquirer alluded to in the above letter:
Mrs. M. P. Parks, Newburgh, N. Y.
Our mother, after great suffering, entered into rest on the evening of September 26th; particulars by flag of truce. I am alone at present, but hope soon to get occupants for the house. N. B. is better, and has gone to Mrs. G.'s; has a furlough for thirty days. Write soon by flag of truce to your devoted sister. New York papers please copy.

The officers of the Regiment are as follows:—
FIELD AND STAFF.
Lieutenant-Colonel—William Krentzer, Lyons, Wayne county, entered the service as Captain.
Major—W. H. Rogers, Lyons, Wayne county, entered the service as Quartermaster Sergeant.
Surgeon—Dr. J. D. Benton, Cato, Cayuga county, formerly Assistant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Eleventh N. Y. Vols.
Chaplain—Rev. C. H. Richardson, Massena, St. Lawrence county, formerly Chaplain of the Ninety-second N. Y. Vols., mustered out in this city in January last.
Adjutant—Lieut. J. H. R. Oakley, Newburgh, formerly First Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth N. Y. Vols.
Quartermaster—Lieut. S. S. Short, Sodus, Wayne county, entered the service as Corporal.

LINE OFFICERS.
Captain A. C. Wells, of Joy, Wayne county, entered the service as a private; Captain A. S. Harris, of Ontario, Wayne county, entered the service as a private; Captain W. F. Angervine, of Canandaigua, entered the service as a sergeant; Captain E. M. Copps, of Chateaugay, Franklin county, entered the service as a private; Captain D. D. Mott, of Fort Covington, Franklin county, entered the service as a private; Captain F. C. Beaman, of Burke, Franklin county, entered the service as a private; First Lieutenant C. B. Colwell, of Newburgh, entered the service as a sergeant; First Lieutenant George H. Benton, of Poultneyville, Wayne county, entered the service as a corporal; First Lieutenant L. B. Sperry, of Bangor, Franklin county, entered the service as a private; First Lieutenant S. B. Powell, of Malone, Franklin county, entered the service as a private; First Lieutenant, C. H. McArthur, of Malone, entered the service as a corporal; First Lieutenant Ed. S. Smith, of Brockport, Monroe county, entered the service as a private.
The Regiment was originally organized under the command of Colonel William Button, who died in July, '62, of fever, contracted during his service in the "Peninsular Campaign." Colonel Dutton was succeeded by Colonel Charles Durkee, who resigned his position at Hilton Head in February, '63. Colonel Durkee was succeeded by Colonel F. F. Weed, who was killed in action at Coal Harbor June 3d, '64. Colonel Weed was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel William Kreutzer, the present commanding officer. Colonel Krentzer is a graduate of Genesee College, and is by profession a lawyer. He has for several months held a commission as Colonel, but the strength of his command has not been sufficient to permit him to muster on it.

THE KNICKERBOCKER.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, SEPT. 6, 1865.
THE NINETY-EIGHTH REGIMENT—ITS RECEPTION AND HISTORY.--This regiment, as we have already stated, arrived in this city, and is now quartered at the Barracks on the Troy Road. That they were not received and properly entertained on their arrival was no fault of our Citizens' Committee, but the fault of Gov. Fenton's agent at New York, who failed, as in almost every instance of late, to notify the Committee of the departure from New York of a single regiment, and the first intimation they would get of their arrival would be the beating of drums coming up from the steamboat. The agent deserves to be severely censured for his action, and we hope he will be. He probably does not know, having never experienced the hardships of the brave soldier, the pleasure it would give them to receive a warm and hearty meal while under transportation from point to point. If he did, he would certainly act different. Being a nabob, whose feelings are too high strung to consult; with or look after the interests of a private soldier, he struts about with the dignity of a member of the French nobility. But we would just say to this fellow, that the heart which beats beneath the humblest blue coot is one that he might feel proud of. It is honest, brave and humane—three characteristics that any ordinary man might envy. However, the boys fully understand the position our Citizens’ Committee occupied in relation to their arrival, and expressed their feelings in yesterday’s issue. But the boys went a little too far when they censured their Lieutenant Colonel for neglecting to attend to their wants on their arrival here. He was no more to blame than themselves. He knew that they had five days’ rations, which would not expire until last night. He knew nothing of the arrangements made by the Citizens’ Committee, and therefore was anxious to get the men to camp as soon as possible, as they were in need of rest. The following is a brief history of the regiment:
The regiment was organized in February, 1862, at Albany, by the consolidation of three companies from Wayne county with seven companies from Franklin county. In the spring following it was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in all the events of McClennel’s campaign of ’62 until the evacuation of Harrison’s Landing, on the 17th of August. Early in the following year (1863) it was transferred to the Eighteenth Army Corps, and constituted a part of General Foster’s expedition against Charleston, after which it returned to Virginia and went into camp in Princess Anne county. While there the regiment reinlisted [sic], and spent a portion of the following winter in New York on its “veteran furlough.” Returning to the scene of strife, it participated in all the achievements of the Army of the James during the memorable campaign of ’64, and was among the first to enter Richmond on the 3d of April last. It remained in this vicinity until the 15th of July, when it was ordered to Danville. The names of battles ordered to be inscribed on its banners for meritorious participation in them are twenty-one in number, viz: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Savage's Station, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Charles City Crossroads, Malvern Hill, Siege of Charleston, Swift Creek, Drewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor June 1st and 3d; Petersburg, June 15th, 17th, 24th, 30th, and July 30th (brought on by the explosion of the mine); Fort Harrison, Sept. 29th and 30th, and Second Fair Oaks. The regiment has on its company rolls over 1,500 men. Its present strength, to be mustered out, is only 350 men. At Cold Harbor, during the 12 days it remained there, its battle-flag was pierced by 51 bullets. Its losses in the different battles amount to over 1,000 men. It never lost its colors, and its line never wavered in the charge. The officers of the regiment are as follows:
Field and Staff—Lieut. Colonel, Wm. Kreutzer, late Provost Marshal 2d District of Richmond; Major, W. H. Rogers, late military commander of the sub-district of Danville; J. D. Benton, Surgeon; Rev. C. H. Richardson, Chaplain; Lieut. J. K. R. Oakley, Adjutant; Lieut. Sr S. Short, Quartermaster. Line—Captain, A. C. Wells, late Inspector General 2d Independent Brigade, 24th Army Corps; Captain A. S. Harris, late Provost Marshal of Danville; Captains W. F. Angervine, E. M. Copps, D. D. Mott, late Post Commissary of Richmond, F. C. Blaman, late Post Commissary of Manchester; Lieutenants C. B. Colwell, G. H. Benton, L. B. Sperry. S. B. Powell, C. H. McArthur, E. S. Smith.
This regiment did provost guard duty in Manchester, Va., for several weeks after its occupation by the Federal forces. Immediately on its arrival on that never-to-be-forgotten morning, the 3d of April, a detail was made from it to guard the residence of the fugitive Jefferson Davis, another to guard the Capitol, and another still to assist in arresting the progress of the flames, which, like an insatiable demon, were sweeping over that city; and all through that fearful transition period, when the foundations of society seemed broken up, and theft, rioting, drunkenness and licentiousness were the order of the day, and whiskey was to be had at every corner, this regiment rendered valuable service to the city and won for itself an excellent name by the uniform good conduct, fidelity to duty and sobriety of both officers and men. Colonel Kreutzer, the senior officer, is a native of this State. He graduated at Genesee College, and is by profession a lawyer. In 1861 he raised a company and came out a captain.—For meritorious services during the campaign of 1864 he was commissioned lieutenant colonel and colonel. On this last commission the strength of his regiment would not permit him to muster. With the exception of the assault on Fort Harrison, he commanded the Ninety-eight in every engagement in which it participated.

ALBANY EVENING JOURNAL.
SATURDAY EVENING, SEPT. 16, 1865.
The Ninety-Eighth Regiment is being paid off to-day. It is said, in high compliment to these gallant heroes, that the regiment has not been detained to adjust claims for damages to private property, as has been too frequently the case. The Colonel has issued the following fare well address:—
HEADQUARTERS 98TH N. Y. S. V.,
ALBANY, N. Y., Sept. 15, 1865.
(CIRCULAR.)
Fellow Soldiers—You are returning from a war which has shaken the commercial and industrial interests of the world. Your marches, toils and battles have been crowned with success. In all the rebellious States, the Constitution and the laws are supreme.
Your friends, and relatives in their quiet homes will rejoice to receive you, glorious survivors of so many dangers and victories, in the same degree that we are sad upon separation and the severing of ties which have united us in our country's darkest hour and grown stronger in battle and victory, in the overthrow and dispersion of our enemies and the final triumph of our cause.
The battles in which you have been engaged shall live forever in your country's annals. On the mountains, in the valleys, on the rivers, the plains, the lakes, and in the towns and cities, the narration of your sufferings, toils and victories, shall elicit in all coming time the warmest commendation of posterity.
How intense the happiness of that soldier who returns from this war safely to his home conscious of having left no duty unperformed. Joy brightens his cheeks and quickens his footsteps, and all who love their country, its benign and free institutions, extend their hands to receive him and lavish their blessings upon him.
To those of our comrades who have died in the line of duty, no tribute can be too great, no honors too flattering. Though left cold and unburied on the battle-field, though blanched by the rains and winds of heaven, or though, unmarked and unknown, they smoulder in the trenches around Petersburgh and Richmond, our free and united country is their monument, and history shall wreathe their names with everlasting greenness.
You, who have periled your lives for the integrity of the nation, are citizens again. Your duties are still great and your responsibilities tremendous. The voices of your comrades, living and dead, call upon you to be socially and politically true in heart and head. Society needs everywhere brave, earnest, truthful men, and such men everywhere succeed.
This is an age of reform and its spirit is progressive. Cherish the good and combat the evil.
For the present your military service is ended. Go home and work, and vote, and pray.
W. KREUTZER,
Colonel 98th N. Y. S. V.

The Palladium.
MALONE, THURSDAY, SEPT. 14, 1865.
The Ninety-Eighth New York Veteran Volunteers.
This Regiment which has held so large a place in the hearts of the people of this county, has at last been mustered out of the service and is now in Albany awaiting its final payment, was organized in February, 1862, by the consolidation of three companies from Wayne county with seven from Franklin county. In the Spring following it was assigned to the army of the Potomac, and participated in all the events of McClellan's campaign of '62, until the evacuation of Harrison's Landing, on the 17th of August. Early in the following year (1863) it was transferred to the Eighteenth Army Corps, and constituted a part of General Foster's expedition against Charleston, after which it returned to North Carolina and garrisoned the Post of Newport Barracks until about the first of September following, when it was ordered to Virginia and went into camp in Princess Anne county. While there the Regiment re-enlisted, and spent a portion of the following winter in this State on its "Veteran furlough." During the Fall of '63 it was recruited with three companies—one each from Malone, Newburgh, and Poughkeepsie. Returning to the scene of strife, it participated in all the achievements of the Army of the James during the memorable campaign of '64, including twelve days at Cold Harbor, and from the 15th of June to the last of August, in front of Petersburgh. It was one of the Regiments that stormed Fort Harrison on the 29th of September, losing nearly one-half of the men it took into the fight that day, and was among the first to enter Richmond on the 3d of April last. It remained in that vicinity until the 15th of July, when it was ordered to Danville, Va. It returned to Richmond, and was there mustered out of service on the 31st of August.
In the Richmond Daily Republic of that date, we find the following notice of the Regiment:
“ The Ninety-eighth Regiment New York Veteran Volunteers, now encamped in Manchester, is to be mustered out of service to-day. It will be remembered that this regiment did provost guard duty in this city for several weeks after its occupation by the Federal forces. Immediately after its arrival here on that never-to-be-forgotten morning, the 3d April, a detail was made to guard the residence of the fugitive Jefferson Davis, another to guard the Capitol, and another still to assist in arresting the progress of the flames, which, like an insatiable demon were sweeping over the beautiful city; and all through that fearful transition period, when the foundations of society seemed broken up, and theft, rioting, drunkenness and licentiousness were the order of the day, and whiskey was to be had at every corner, this Regiment rendered valuable service to the city and won for itself an excellent name, besides a high place in our esteem, by the uniform good conduct, fidelity to duty, and sobriety of both officers and men.”
The names of battles ordered to be inscribed on the banners of the Ninety-eighth for meritorious participation in them, are twenty-one in number, viz: Yorktown, Williamsburg, Savage’s Station, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Charles City Crossroads, Malvern Hill, Siege of Charleston, Swift Creek, Drury’s Bluff, Cold Harbor, June 1st and 3d; Petersburgh, June 15th, 17th, 24th, 30th, and July 30th (brought on by the explosion of the mine,) Fort Harrison, September 29th and 30th, and Second Fair Oaks. The regiment has on its company rolls over fifteen hundred men. Its present strength, mustered out, is only three hundred and fifty men. At Cold Harbor during the twelve days fifty-one bullets. Its losses in the different battles amount to over a thousand men. It never lost its colors, and its line never wavered in the charge.
The officers of the Regiment are as follows:
FIELD AND STAFF.
Lieutenant-Colonel, William KREUTZER, Lyons, Wayne county, entered the service as Captain.
Major W. H. ROGERS, Lyons, Wayne county, entered the service as Quartermaster Sergeant.
Surgeon, Dr. J. D. BENTON, Cato, Cayuga county, formerly Assistant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Eleventh N. Y. Vols.
Chaplain, Rev. C. H. RICHARDSON, Massena, St. Lawrence county, formerly Chaplain of the Ninety-second N. Y. Vols., mustered out in this city in January last.
Adjutant, Lieut. J. K. R. OAKLEY, Newburgh, formerly First Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth N. Y. Vols.
Quartermaster, Lieut. S. S. SHORT, Sodus, Wayne county, entered the service as a Corporal.
LINE OFFICERS.
Captain A. G. WELLS, of Joy, Wayne county, entered the service as a private.
Captain A. S. HARRIS, of Ontario, Wayne county, entered the service as a private.
Captain W. F. ANGERVINE, of Canandaigua, entered the service as a sergeant.
Captain E. M. CORPS, of Chateaugay, Franklin County, entered the service as a private,
Captain B. B. MOTT, of Fort Covington, Franklin county, entered the service as a private.
Captain F. C. BEAMAN, of Burke, Franklin county, entered the service as a private.
First Lieutenant C. B. COLWELL, of Newburgh, entered the service as a sergeant.
First Lieutenat [sic] GEORGE H. BENTON, of Poultneyville, Wayne county, entered the service as a corporal.
First Lieutenant L. B. SPERRY, of Bangor, Franklin county, entered the service as a private.
First Lieutenant S. B. POWELL, of Malone, Franklin county, entered the service as a private.
First Lieutenant C. H. MCARTHUR, of Malone, Franklin county, entered the service as a corporal.
First Lieutenant ED. S. SMITH, of Brockport, Monroe county, entered the service as a private.
The Regiment was originally organized under the command of Colonel WILLIAM DUTTON, of Wayne county, who died July 4th, '62, of fever, contracted during his service in the "Peninsula Campaign." Colonel DUTTON was succeeded by Colonel CHARLES DURKEE, who resigned his position at Hilton Head in February, '63. Colonel DURKEE was succeeded by Colonel WEED, killed at Cold Harbor June 3d, '64. Colonel WEED was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel WILLIAM KREUTZER, the present commanding officer. Colonel KREUTZER has for several months held a commission as Colonel but the strength of his command has not been sufficient to permit him to muster on it.

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