1862 August 5 Camp Green Meadows

Confidential

                   August 5th/62
           Camp Green Meadows
Dear Father
               I am about to write
you in regard to our future
prospects as a band & and
as I shall probably make some
propositions I would have
you read it quietly
For some time past perhaps
two weeks there has been
considerable talk here in
regard to the mustering out
of service of Bands. both
officers & men of our
Reg't have been troubled
about it.  All that we
know about the realities
is that papers of about
the 10th & 15th of July stated that
an act had been passed
to discharge all bands.  Officers

[page 2]
and men all say
should we be mustered
out they will make up
our pay by voluntary
subscription. the privates
say they will give one Dollar
per month from their wages
rather than have us
leave.  One officer said to
me "he would give $25 per
month rather than have us
leave" The Colonel says he
will indeavor to retain
us.  We (Band) however
intend to leave and go
home at least for a time
should the opportunity offer
For my part I  hope that we
will be discharged not
that I wish to leave the
service for should we
get away I shall certainly
enlist again and again

[page 3]
         I am inclined to
think if we were at home
now some of us might
do better among the
new Regiments now
raising.  It makes little
difference how long we
remain here in our
present position.  Their is
no chance for promotion
and my opinion is that
the Regiments now being
brought into the service
at this the eleventh hour
should be officered by
men who have been
in the service, men
who have suffered more
hardships than they will
ever have to meet again
no matter how long
the war may last &
this seems to be the opinion

[page 4]
of the authorities generally
now should the states
be obliged to resort to
drafting this will be
the way Regiments so raised
will be officered, and I
think some of us fellows
who have been wandering
about here over a year
now should have a
Chance, what think you
and now to be plain
should bands not be
discharged I want for the
reasons I have  given & others
to get away from here if I
can honorably and should I
get away I think I might have
a position in some of the
new Regiments and deserve
such a position as much as many
who are getting and as I
understand it all it requires to

[page 5]
secure such a position is a little
diplomacy.  Officers here
understand it so and one of
them with whom I am intimate
has offered me recommendation
without my asking for it at
the same time telling me that
I might as well as not apply
for some position in new
Reg--as hundreds of others are
       doing, besides I have good

[page 6]
reasons for wishing to get out
of the band business if I can conven-
iently What think you of
this? Can any thinkg anything
be done to bring about
such a result as I have spoke
of?        in haste
            Yours Truly
               J.D. Templeton
P.S. If you can do anything conveniently in this
matter & do so  Yours Truly J. D. Templeton

on envelope
Kindness of Lieut Cooper
of Co. E 23 Reg't O Vol. Inf.

James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio


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