Elijah Walker Speaks Transcript

Hd. Qrs. 4th Me. Vols.
Near Culpeper Va.
March 15, 1864

Col. E. R. Spear,
Dear Sir

Your communication of the 10th inst. is received. And in answer I would say – Otis G. Spear has reenlisted and left the Regt. the 17th ult. on furlough for 35 days. He has been a good and faithful soldier and is worthy of promotion.

The reasons of Spear not being further advanced are, he has been a portion of the time detached on duty with the balloon. But few casualties have occurred in his Co. B amongst the officers – One resigned and one discharged.

I will send you a letter addresses to John L. Hodsdon A. G. of Me. which you can use if you desire. It would give me great pleasure to have Spear promoted in one of the Regt’s now organizing. He is worthy. Troops officered by men who have seen active field service will be much more efficient in the field.

Nothing new of importance. Women visitors have been ordered to & have with few exceptions left the army. Orders indicate an early movement.

My officers are in good health & fine spirits – have not had an officer reported sick the past two months. My men with few exceptions are in good condition.

I have a few boys of 16 and some old men 64 years old, enlisted by Dep. Provost Marshals, who arrived last Jan’y bringing with them the Measles and Small Pox. They have caused me much trouble and ain’t worth a d-mn. The first hard march they will straggle and fall into the hands of the enemy with a full set of arms and equipment.

If you think my Reg’t has earned a reputation worthy of sustaining its present organization, I would like to have you use your influence to send me some recruits – I want good able bodied men or none.

Ex Gov. Coburn (who was styled by one of his staff, an a—s) got an order rescinded which assigned 250 drafted men to my Reg’t and had them sent to the 8th. This was probably because he had a private pique against me. Please see and let me know what can be done if anything towards recruiting the 4th Me Vols. and oblige

Your ob’t servant
Elijah Walker
Col. 4th Me. Vols