Local boy, 20-year-old Oscar Palmer enlisted in Company C, 1st USSS as corporal on August 26, 1861. He was appointed Hospital Steward of the 2nd USSS on Nov 4, 1861. He resigned to finish his medical studies in Michigan and returned to be commissioned as Assistant Surgeon on Jan 20, 1864, and mustered March 15th.

The following pair of letters are sent to the Hudson Gazette describing the first group of Hudson recruits experiences as they depart Detroit and finally arrive at Camp of Assembly at Weehawken, New Jersey. The idyllic setting that the Hudson boys enjoyed must have seemed like a dream after they arrived at Camp of Instruction, and the hardships endured on the campaigns of 1862-65.

The Hudson Gazette
Saturday, September 7, 1861

WE are permitted to publish the following private letter from Corporal Palmer, of the Sharp Shooters. It will doubtless be of interest, especially to those who have friends or relatives in the company.

Weehawken, N.J. Thursday, Aug. 29

Dear Brothers;

[i]Supposing that you heard from me at the date of our leaving Detroit (the 27th inst.) I will commence the items of this letter at that date: We left the City Hotel at five o’clock, in true military style, viz: By all kissing the lady waiters and giving three times three hearty cheers, and went to Findley’s Hotel where we joined the rest of our company, and then proceeded to the depot where a train was waiting to convey us to Toledo. We arrived there at fifteen minutes after ten and marched from the train on board the propeller Ocean, where we were guarded until daylight and then started for Dunkirk. We got three miles out and run aground on the bar. Another propeller of the same line came up a few moment after and succeeded in getting us off at ten o’clock. The trip down was made in twenty-eight hours including stoppage, and was very pleasant, although some of the boys thought it rather a sudden transition from a soft bed to an empty bunk. I got along very well, having the soft side of a nice pine board to le on. On the way down the men amused themselves by throwing crackers into the water and shooting at them as they were left behind, and I assure you that there was hardly enough left in one piece for fish bait.

We arrived at Dunkirk at eight o’clock Wednesday morning, every man was in good spirits, except one sick, one whom we left**. He will join us in a few days, We stopped at the Eastern Hotel for dinner, as we were obliged to wait there until three o’clock P.M. before we could take the train for New York. The men were on hand at train time, and we started amid the congratulations of hundreds of strange friends. In fact we have been highly extolled all along our route, and were called in New York the best company that ever marched into the city. We arrived there at about nine this morning and proceeded at once to the Girard House for breakfast. It would have pleased you greatly to have seen some of the boys stare who never have “seen the elephant” and much more when they came to the table they did not know what to do with her napkins, and hardly with their silver forks, and when the desert came around the “wasn’t dar”. After eating, we marched to the rive, but found that we could not come up here on a boat until two o’clock this afternoon, and, as the men were impatient it was thought best by the officers to walk up to the upper ferry just opposite, and leaving a guard for our baggage we did so.

As yet we know nothing of the particular places assigned to us, and therefore I cannot at present inform you concerning it; but will do so at my earliest possible convenience. With respects to all.

I remain as ever,

Your Brother, Oscar.

**This would be 32-year-old Andrew J. Edmonds from Marshall. He enlisted in Co. C on Aug 21st, and mustered on Aug 26, 1861. He was reported to be sick at Dunkirk N.Y. on October 22, 1861. No further word on his roster.


The Hudson Gazette, Saturday, September 7, 1861
Further from the Sharp Shooters
(From Corporal Palmer)

Brother Wm:

Having a little leisure I will drop you a line. We have received our tents and now regularly encamped in one of the most beautiful places the world ever saw. From my tent door I can see the “Noble Hudson,” its silvery waves sparkling and dancing in the bright sunlight, dotted with innumerable vessels gliding along its glassy surface as though they scorned to tread on earth; and just beyond the great city with its spires pointing heavenward, and its constant hum of business which reaches us across the water.

Today the sound of heavy cannon almost constantly reaches us as though the place was attacked by a mighty foe; but with what different feelings do we listen to it than we would if it was so. To us it is a sound of joy, for it bringeth glad tidings of our country’s weal.

A battle has been fought and a victory won-a privateer vessel and about 700 prisoners were brought into the city this morning, with 5,000 stands of arms, and many munitions of war. But you have heard of this and are rejoicing with us.

The place of our encampment is about two hundred and fifty feet above the river and perhaps sixty rods from it. The bluff is almost perpendicular, and the only direct mode of communication with it is by a long flight of steps built for that purpose. The ground was originally fitted up for a park and is still a very fashionable resort for people from the city, a ferry being constantly running, so that our camp is daily crowded with civilians.

The timber here is mostly cedar and birch, which, being neatly trimmed, has the appearance of an artificial grove and the grounds are everywhere supplied with tables and seats for the accommodation of the guests. A band is also engaged to enliven the scene with music. Dancing floors are likewise scattered around for the benefit of those who love to “trip the light fantastic toe.” And I assure you they are well attended as well as “lager beer” saloons, which are here in plenty,

We are yet boarding at a German hotel but expect to commence drawing our rations this week. Some of the boys do not like their manner of cooking, but I guess they will live. We have very easy times, only drilling about four hours a day now; but I expect we will double it soon. The most of our uniforms are here. Shirts and stockings were distributed today, the rest will be tomorrow.

Joe Welch and Armstrong have been quite sick for a day or two but are nearly well now. I am tough as a brick.

Repects to all, Oscar

Joseph Welch, Lenawee County, 22 years old. Enlisted August 21st and mustered on August 26th, 1861. He was discharged for disability on Jan 20, 1861.

Almeron Armstrong, Hudson. 37 years old. Enlisted Aug 21 and mustered on Aug 26. Mustered out at Petersburg, Aug 20, 1864.


Bill Skillman