Love of gain or honor did not influence him to enter our army... it was a desire to serve his country and do his duty that induced him to leave his peaceful avocations, gird on his armor and join his companions in the risk and hardships of a life in the army.

From the eulogy of Augustus E. Bronson

Introduction

September 1862

October 1862

November 1862

December 1862

January 1863

February 1863

March 1863

A.E. Bronson Eulogy

Dear Times:--Once more I seat myself at my desk (knapsack) to pen a few lines to you. My last was written soon after we came here when several days of short rations had left me not in the best of humor. In fact I believe touching a mail to the stomach is like touching him in the pocket-"hitting him in the tender spot." The discontent with our grub, or rather "lack" of it, culminated a few days after in Co. B's refusing to do duty till they had something eatable and their being put under guard. An appeal to the acting Brigadier General, McLean, elicited the pleasing information to them that the guard over them must be removed, and to all that we must and should have our full supply of provender, since which there has been a decided improvement. We have been getting our back rations and have all, yea, more than we can musticate, of hard bread and pork with occasional rations of soft bread and fresh beef. Verily we live on the fat of the land. (fat pork) Last Tuesday we had a brigade drill and again Thursday. (Thanksgiving day) It was announced Wednesday p. M. on Dress Parade that there would be no drill on Thanksgiving day, but the brigade commander thought differently. Of course it was with a feeling of pride that some of our boys heard the Gen. say to his staff that we went through the evolutions as well as any regiment in the brigade, though the rest have been drilling much longer than we have. A cavalry reg't encamped near us who have been out on a reconnoitering expedition returned Sunday night with quite a number of prisoners, one of them a rebel major, and also a number of horses and beef cattle, having been entirely successful in accomplishing the objects of the expedition. I saw in the Baltimore Clipper a few days since "that the 17^th C. V. were doing duty near Centerville when they were attacked by the rebel cavalry and driven in with the loss of three of their number taken prisoners." I think somebody must have made a slight mistake as we were unaware of the occurrence till we saw it there. We came near having some serious catastrophes. Most of us have built chimneys of stone and dirt at one end of our tents; the addition of a fire-place makes them quite comfortable, but some of the boys have been brought to realize the fact that twilled muslin is quite combustible and to "behold how great a flame a little spark kindleth." Three or four nights ago I was aroused from my peaceful repose by the cry of "Fire! Fire!! Serg't Daniels wake up here, you're all afire!" We piled out but the fire was extinguished with only the rain of a rubber blanket and a few yards of muslin. Not so fortunate were some half dozen, not of this Company, who were a short distance from camp; acting as cattle guard. Their house was almost burnt over their heads before they awoke, one or two were seriously burned, and all lost their household goods and most of their clothing. We were aroused this a. M. at 3 1/2 o'clock by the roll of the drums and ordered to fall in with rifles and acouterments [?]. After a few minutes the arms were stacked and the boy told to get their breakfast. Nothing farther has transpired yet. Whether an attack was anticipated, or it was done to see how quick we could turn out, I am not able to decide.

Dear Times:--I wish you "A Happy Year" and many returns of the same. New Year or old year, makes very little difference with us here; though we have not much to complain of just now-in fact have something to be thankful for, and return our sincere thanks to Mrs. Capt. Moore and other friends for a box of apples, onions, etc., received in good order last night, and to the Soldiers' Aid Society, for a number of pairs of mittens received yesterday A.M.