About this Letter
Marvin W. Green writes the letter to his brother on January 25, 1864. He mentions that he is at Warrenton and is having a good time as a soldier. He mentions that he is writing with a pen that cost 6 dollars, and he asks his brother to tell Herk Hall to enlist in the Battery that he is in. Green also mentions that he is coming home on a furlough and he wants his brother to get supplies for a good time when he returns. In the researchers’ note, it is mentioned that the regiment that Green was a part of had transferred from infantry to cavalry, which was a significant event and had caused excitement and enthusiasm among the regiment members.
Letter Transcript
M. W. GREEN TO DEAR BROTHER – JANUARY 25, 1864
Warrenton Dear brother We recieved your kind letter last night and was glad to here from you. We are boath well at present and hope this will find you the same. Well sterns we are at Warenton yet -and we are having good times for soldiers. Sterns the pen that I started this with was some like a Bob sled but now I am riting with one that cost 6 dolars. it is one that I have bored just to rite this letter. Well Sterns you may tell herk hall for me that I wish he would enlist in the Battery that I am in and then he would have good times and lots of fun. tell Orville Perkins that I am coming home on a ferlow for I have got the ? of it levi and I will come home together and I want you to get lots of power and caps and lead and then we will have good times tell rose that I am a thousand times obliged to her for that ten that she sent us. Well sterns I shant rite eny mroe to day so good By D. Brot. this from M. W. Green
Researchers Note: In this letter, Levi speaks of the unit’s initial steps to move from infantry to cavalry. What follows is a snippet taken from Bowen’s book.
But the circumstance, which above all others occurring at Warrenton and which aroused the regiment to a high pitch of enthusiasm and rejoicing, was the welcome announcement that the long-talked-of and hoped-for transfer from infantry to cavalry had been made. The strenuous efforts of Colonel Gibbs had at length been rewarded with success, and our regiment was the recipient of honors bestowed upon no other in the history of the war. There were regiments of mounted infantry but no other instance in which an absolute transference from infantry to cavalry occurred. The special orders from the war department touching this transfer bears date July 28, 1863, and five days later, the following order of instructions was received:-
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Aug. 2, 1863.
Special Order, No. I06.
The One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Volunteers, Col. A. Gibbs, having been converted by Special Orders No. 335, of the 28th ultimo, from the war department, into a regiment of cavalry, will proceed to Manassas Junction, and there form a camp of instruction for the purpose of being recognized and receiving its arms and equipment. I will be put In a condition for active service in the field with the least delay practicable. The regiment is attached to the cavalry corps, and reports and returns will hereafter be rendered accordingly.
By command of
MAJOR GENERAL MEADE
- WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Researcher’s Note: Special Order No. 335 is a military order issued on August 27, 1863, by Union General George G. Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac. The order transferred the 130th New York Infantry to full cavalry, converting the infantry regiment into a mounted unit.
Special Order No. 335 was issued as part of a larger effort by the Union Army to increase the number of cavalry units available. At the time, the Union Army faced significant challenges in effectively gathering and acting on intelligence about Confederate forces. The conversion of the 130th New York Infantry into a cavalry unit was seen as a way to help address these challenges.
The conversion of the 130th New York Infantry into a cavalry unit was significant, as it marked a major change in the structure and composition of the Union Army. The formation of new cavalry units was a key component of the Union Army’s strategy during the Civil War. It helped to increase the Army’s mobility and ability to gather intelligence.