Description:

SOLDIERS GET HAMMERED AND FIGHT ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Good content Union soldier's letter, 1p. 4to., "Near Brandy Station", Mar. 19, 1864 in which Capt. Patrick Nolan of the 71st N.Y. Vols. (KIA Spotsylvania) writes the commander of the regiment, LT. COL. THOMAS RAFFERTY about members of his "Excelsior Brigade" and a "disgraceful occurrence" on St. Patrick's Day. In part: "...the cause of my companies drunkenness I am unable to state, nor do I know where they got the liquor and for me not taking any notice to keep them quiet, I deny it. I done all that was in my power...". On verso, Rafferty pens a lengthy endorsement, in part: "...This explanation is neither respectful nor satisfactory...It is a 'disgraceful occurrence', even for privates to become intoxicated, get into a fist fight...and create an uproar...but when officers...permit enlisted men to associate with them in their orgies...it does not tend to promote 'good order'...". Rafferty further demands that Nolan explain how he allowed the matter to remain out of hand for nearly two hours. Fine.

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February 19, 2014 11:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

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