1862-1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Header Record

Title: Collection of Nicholas A. Dederer, E company, 114th regiment, New York, infantry [Decimalized .01-.12]

Letters written as Captain and Quartermaster. By end of his letters, Dederer was Provost Marshall. Rathbone seems to have been his son-in-law. The letters discuss Louisiana and New Orleans. There is much talk of arresting deserters. Brief mention is made of enslaved people's relations with Federal soldiers.

GLC04703

10 September 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

The regiment's journey from Elmira to Baltimore by rail. Their march through the city, his wish for "the shoulder straps of a captain instead of a Lieut[ant's]."

GLC04703.01

23 circa November 1862

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued on 24 November and 25 November. Written on board Transport Thames near Fortress Monroe. The ship carried General Emory's Brigade. Provides instructions for dispensing money he sent home. Describes attending "Divine Worship" on the ship (which was more solemn than any service he ever attended), and discusses food available. Notes that he went to Fortress Monroe to "liberate" some of his men who were arrested for shooting a duck outside the fort. Sailing near "Severe Point" a rebel battery that had been destroyed by the guns of Fortress Monroe from a distance of five miles, and…

GLC04703.02

January 22, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Says that he is disturbed by the news that the family has not received any of his letters. Expresses joy at the arrest of one deserter from his unit and wonders why another has not been arrested as well. Scolds his family for publishing his letters in the Chenango American. Asks about friends at home and describes members of the regiment who are sick.

GLC04703.03

January 30, 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 1 February and 2 February. Due to a measles outbreak, three companies are being detained on another ship further up the river. On his ship many are sick with fever. Describes Southern plantation houses, arrival and setting up at their new camp. Rumors about Seward and Stanton's resignation, Burnside being superseded by Freeman. Also mentions rumor of the withdrawal of troops by all Democratic governors from the federal army. [Expresses anxiety which followed the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg.] Gives address as 114 Regt NY Banks Expedition, N. Orleans.

GLC04703.04

20 February 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Continued 21 February. Receives photographs of his family and comments on their "over sanctimonious countenances." Lists some of his duties including distributing clothing to contrabands, and attending to the complaint of a Negro who was shot by an overseer. Says that Blacks were brought in to repair the levee which burst during the night. "The great annoying question now is how to dispose of these Negroes. The authorities are trying to induce them to return to their former masters and work for small wages..."

GLC04703.05

12 March 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Admits that he feels a little down, complains about the draft and is upset by the idea that so many men are succumbing to illness, never having a chance to fight in battle. Speculates that the regiment will be sent to Texas once Vicksburg, Mississippi falls. Notes that a few men crossed the Bay [near New Orleans] and were chased by Rebel horsemen. Writes that he ordered the arrest of a soldier who went home on leave and has decided not to return.

GLC04703.06

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His leg and ankle are swollen. The regiments receives orders to be ready to march at a moments notice with a blanket, change of clothes and a few days rations. Held together by two contemporary postage stamps.

GLC04703.07

29 April 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

His regiment and another are assigned to drive cattle, horses, mules and sheep; an assignment he finds disgraceful. Dederer suggests that the commanding officers committed a number of mistakes in battle [possibly the Battle of Port Hudson 6/11/1863], which earned the regiment their humiliating assignment.

GLC04703.08

13 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is in the hospital with jaundice. He had been sick for a week, but put off getting medical attention because he felt an engagement was immanent.

GLC04703.09

23 June 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Letter

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

He is still in the hospital. Reassures his family that he is getting better. Acknowledges receipt of a package (the cheese was spoiled but he appreciated the brandy). General Banks orders Dederer and two other captains to report for duty or tender their resignations. The captains decide to resign. Dederer's doctor sent a letter certifying his illness and declaring him unfit for duty. [Accompanying envelope appears as if the stamp has been clipped.] [According to Civil War Day by Day, Federal troops at Brashear City surrendered on 6/23/1863.]

GLC04703.10

14 July 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

Writing from the Marine Hospital, Dederer, with the New York Volunteer Regiment notes the success of Grant at Vicksburg. His opinion of pardoning rebel soldiers: "Gen'l Butler is the damned'st Scoundrel in the whole Federal Army, but it needs such a man to deal with these pretended senior men; men who just as soon as our backs are turned render all the possible aid and comfort to these small armies or bands of Guerrillas. I would not allow so many of them to take the oath, as but few of them regard it as all binding, and it only furnishes them with a cloak by which they hide their…

GLC04703.11

17 November 1863

Dederer, N. A., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Peter B. Rathbone

"A man in charge of a gang of Negroes at work on the Levee Shot a Negro and then came over here to deliver himself up to me . . . . [T]he only offense of the Negro was that he refused to work . . . ." Also writes that sugar season is coming to an end and he fears that the blacks will be forced to steal once they become unemployed. He promises to send sugar and molasses home.

GLC04703.12