ALS, Camp Caldwell, 16 Sept. ’61. Robert B. Wilson, 72nd New York, to an unnamed friend. On rare hand-colored letter sheet 8-3/4 x 11 in. “Topographical Map of Virginia between Washington and Manassas Junction.” The front is divided into three sections: top – The capitol building in Washington; center – a map of eastern Virginia and western Maryland along with Washington, DC; bottom – Military Map of Maryland and Virginia – a broader view of Virginia and surrounding region with “Battles Fought” noted on the map. (minor stains along margins)

Private Wilson has written about a page and a half to his friend describing their early days in the DC area. The second day they were there, he became ill. He attributes it to the extreme heat and bad water. He notes that one of their regiment died of heat stroke that same day. “[T]he President and Secretary Seward gave us a visit about two weeks ago[.] [H]e seemed to like the appearance of our regiment very well[.] [O]ur company is on a five days scout[.] [T]hey started this morning [.] [T]here is only five or six left here and them are all sick but two[.] I was on guard last night or I [would have] gone with them[.] [O]ur company number 96 privites and comishioned and non comishened officers[.] [O]ur company is all very well with the exceptions of three or four and they are not very bad off… P.S. I thought I would send you this so that you could see where we are situated … we are about a mile from the insane asylum. If you wish to write you can direct your letters Care of Capt. H.I Bliss / Camp Caldwell Washington DC / 3rd Reg. Col. Nelson Taylor.” 

The 72nd NY, the 3rd regiment of the Excelsior Brigade, was recruited in New York City and Chautauqua County, but a few came from as far as Newark, NJ and Vermont. It left Camp Scott, Staten Island, in July for Washington, DC. With the spring came serious fighting, and the Excelsior Brigade saw action at Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Days’ battles, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Kelly’s Ford, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, and many more. It is unusual in that it lost 184 men from wounds and 96 by death from other causes – mostly disease. This is the opposite of most other regiments who more typically lost twice as many to disease as they did to battles (KIA and death from wounds).