Headquarters 1st Rifle Regt
My dear Sister;
I have had the past few days some very vexatious things to happen in the regiment. Yesterday morning fifteen men of one company, six of another and two of a third stacked their arms in defiance of all authority (not particularly mine) and refused to serve until they were paid. I said not a word to them but immediately ordered their arrest and started to Division Headquarters to have a military commission assemble to try them and pass sentence at once, so that they might be punished summarily. When I returned they had all taken their arms again. I then had an inspection of the Regiment and a parade as usual on Sundays and neither did [n]or said anything that showed I was aware of anything unusual having taken place. They were all humiliated especially as they got no sympathy but only taunts and ridicule from the rest of the regiment. I resolved however to punish them and this morning ordered them to turn in the arms they had and take inferior ones in exchange, which some of the men had been obliged to take. All but seven refused to do this so they (the remaining sixteen) have been arrested, placed in irons, and sent to the Provost guard house to await trial by court martial which will assuredly pass very severe sentence upon them. I have been terribly enraged at this proceeding and as a consequence feel the effects of the mental excitement. I cannot find relief for a passion by swearing and blustering. This is the first time my authority as a commanding officer has ever been set at defiance, although the intention was not to defy my authority. The men have six and many eight months pay due them and are really suffering for the want of their money and some evil fellow has induced a few weak men to this course.
We have been expecting to march for the past day or two though it seems not so probable tonight. Gen. [Abner] Doubleday, of Fort Sumter notoriety, has today assumed command of our Division. I send much love to all
Ever your affectionate brother,
Chas. Frederick Taylor ,
You can address your letters Colonel C.F.T.