1862 September 5 Camp Upton Farm

Sept 5th / 62

Camp Upton Farm Va
Dear  Father Yours of Aug 30th
was recd last night
We have not been in any
engagement yet but are
prepared to fight if boys are
ordered out.  Last night
they ordered a battery upon
Falls Church a small place
about 1/2 mile distant from
this camp.  We were called
out but did nothing.  the
Enemy discontinuing very soon
I have sad news to tell you
Wm G. Templeton of the 100 Reg't
Pa was reported killed in the
last engagement near here.
I cant learn where the
Reg't is I have looked for it
for several days past I

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saw a parolled prisoner
from the Reg't who says
he was Will after he
was dead, he says he was
shot he thinks Friday eve
badly wounded had an arm
amputated and died Saturday
Morning. he may have been
mistaken however .
As to bands before we
left Western Va. we heard
that an act had been passed
discharging all Reg'tl bands
this was talked over but
nothing certain was known
When we arrived at
Washington we learned that
such an act had been passed
July 7th requiring the discharge
of all Regtl bands within 30
days. when we arrived at
Alexandria the Reg't was
paid off but the Paymaster

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refused to pay us as
Reg'tl band saying that
we must to to Washington
to get our discharge & pay
This Col Hays refused to allow
us to do saying that he
wished to keep us if possible
this was the feeling of
all the officers and they
knowing that we could
no longer draw the pay
formerly allowed Regtl
bands immediately set
on foot a subscription
each of them signing from
10 to 15 dollars per month
we have been trying however
to procure our discharge
Whether we will succeed
I am quite unable to say
at this time.

The 28th & 12th Ohio Reg'tl band
are here & in the same position

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with us large numbers
of bands have been discharged
we know
Should we be discharged
it will certainly be a
honourable one and we will
be at liberty to again enter
the service at our own option
as to place or capacity
I have heard that discharged
bands are exempt from
draft--I know not how correct
this is
Being favorably situated for
quick letter communication
I shall write often & hope you
will do the same.

Yours Truly
J. D. Templeton.

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

MSS 10317