The Calvin Shedd Papers > Background > Uniform
Uniform
| Date(s) of Letter(s) | Little, Henry F.
W. The Seventh Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion.
Concord, New Hampshire: Seventh New Hampshire Veteran Association, 1896.
|
| September 29, 1862 October 10, 1862 October 12, 1862 |
Commissioned
officers in the Civil War were expected to purchase the items necessary to make up their
uniforms. Shedd, while stationed in South Carolina, was promoted
to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, Company A. Although Shedd was proud of his
achievement, he was also concerned about the cost of items needed to outfit himself in his
new position. At the same time his promotion was procured, his family farm was
being foreclosed on and his wife and children were in great need of money. In a
letter dated September 16, 1862, Shedd writes: "I dont know how you will manage to
live be sure & not let on about the date of my Commission recon the date from the time
I am qualified I dont know the date yet get all you can out of the Town, the Govnt has got
so many Soldiers that I expect the pay days will be more uncertain. It will take all
the pay I get this time for Uniform &c and shall have to borrow to send you by hook or
crook." The ledger sheet pictured above lists some items that Shedd purchased in October and November, 1862, and their respective costs. Some of the items were probably necessary to fulfill his uniform requirements. In the several letters cited here, Shedd also mentions trading and buying certain items from other men in the regiment. |