Letters of Peter Bird

This letter may be found on pages 199-120 of Curtis. I am reproducing it here for the benefit of those who do not have access to the Regimental History. The original letter may have been edited before being published -- There is no salutation for instance.

Sunday April 12, 1863
Camp Isabella

We have fine times here now - inspection every morning and Sunday twice. The men have to turn out with boots blacked, clothes brushed and besides that the two cleanest and neatest men, and the two dirtiest and most slovenly in each company , have their names read on dress parade. So we have a chance to get our names up now.

We had another scene this morning. Ira F. Persoll of H, who deserted last fall while we lay in the woods near South Mountain, was caught at Grand Rapids, Michigan, about three months ago and sent here under guard. He was tried by court martial and sentenced to be dishonorably discharged with forfeiture of all pay due or to become due, which was very slight punishment and he thought so too, and boasted and danced around all day yesterday which provoked Captain Merritt so that this morning, the time he was to leave, the Captain formed the company at open ranks and surrounded him with twelve bayonets, and the band behind him, marched him all around the regiment, the band playing the "Rogues March." As he passed between our regiment and the Nineteenth Indiana, Captain Merritt ordered him to take off his hat, but he refused. So it was taken off for him. Our regiment followed hissing and jeering him half way to the Landing.

William H. Ingersoll of H, was discharged with him for desertion, also. The regiment is disposing of its cowards pretty fast. Colonel Morrow comes it over them so he gets their sentences lightened considerably. In the other regiments they shave their heads, but the Colonel works as hard to help them from being disfigured as though it was his own person. He seems to feel worse than the prisoners themselves and cries when their sentences are being read.

This letter is from the Adjutant General's files as the State Archives of Michigan. The letter was written in response to to the publication of the "Brown Books" which,unfortunately, contained a great of erroneous information. The letters is written on the stationary of the Romulus Bank, which Peter Bird founded.

P.C. BIRD, CASHIER

Romulus Bank.
Romulus, Mich.
June 25, 1906

Adjt. Gen.
Lansing, Mich.

Dear Sir,

I was a member of Co D 24th Mich Infantry [and] was wounded in Action at Gettysburg, July 1st 1863 and never saw the regiment afterward-though your published record says I was mustered out with the regiment June 30 1865. At that date I was working in the office of Lt. Col. J.R. Smith Com. of Musters at Detroit and was discharged "by reason of Gun Shot wound received in action" Oct 21st 1865

Yours Truly,
Peter C Bird