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Surgeon Joshua Treadwell, 54th Massachusetts (Colo

A rare war date archive of twenty-nine (29) letters written by Surgeon Joshua Brackett Treadwell who served throughout the war in the 5th, 45th, 54th (Colored) and 62nd Massachusetts Infantries, and reads in part: "...[7/31/1863 Camp near Kinswoods]As near as we can find out Gen. Wallace is in command of the Dept and Gen. Lockwood is our Division commander and our brigade commanded by Col. Negley...We have not any chaplain yet don't know whether or not we shall...[8/19/64 Fort Marshall Md.] I have a good medical library here but study I cannot. I have never been able to while in this kind of life...We expect that the companies remaining at McH will be relieved and sent to their other Md Posts. The old Gen 'Old Boots' so they say disrespectfully call, from the fact that he habitually wears a pair of riding boots the only uniform he appears in - blacked way up to the straps - expresses himself immensely pleased with the regt and thinks he can trust the men out of his immediate sight. Well he may for I never saw better behaved set of fellows...There are four to be hung at McH on the 29th for acting as spies smuggling goods with the enemy...three of them 'soldiers in the so called Confed army' the other a citizen, it is not too hard for them as they are traitors to begin with, and the very fact of their being spies proves conclusively that their whole hearts are with the rebs....[1/4/65]I saw Col. Wooley the Provost Marshall this morning said he understood that the charge against Fuller was that he had endeavored to obtain discharges for men that should not have them or something of the kind. I suppose from what Col. Lawrence, Gen. Wallace's Adj. Gen. told me that my case comes under the same head but his one thing I know that I made out only two sets of discharge papers while I was in the service - one set by order of Gen Morris and the other by a verbal order from DeCurry through Fuller. I am expecting every day to get a copy of the charges...[1/9/65]I went to see Col. Coleman...He is always ready to anything he can for one about Balt lawyers, he sent me to a friend of his but that gentleman could not render me his services if I should want them but directed me to another gentleman who has had considerable experience in the military courts. AM Thomas (state attorney) I learn that he is a very competent and well qualified gentleman...Says he could not undertake the case less than $50 and this as low as any good lawyer her who has had any experience in military courts can be retained...he thinks...the case might be taken out of the hands of the military authorities and thinks this by far the best course...[1/12/65]Co. Person recd orders to report at McHenry with his command...The order to have the Regt in readiness to move probably came from Sheridan. Gen. Morris says we shall not go if he can prevent it His NY troops do not please him, they let persons run away and then fall ...[1/1765]Whether they will get at my case this week is not quite certain. Fuller's comes up first , so I have ascertained from the Judge Advocate. I telegraphed last night for father to see if Col. Coleman could get me a letter in regard to my personal standing from Gov. Andrew...[Saturday morning]Nothing very remarkable in regard to me was developed during Fuller's trial. I was called today as witness for the defense. Of course knowing nothing I had very little evidence to give. The most hat my testimony amounted to was that he had been mustered out of service which produced quite a sensation in court, they supposing that he had not. Of course they wanted to know if I had also and where my papers were. Mr. Mathews who had accompanied me to the court told them they would be presented at proper time...the court has practically admitted that it has no jurisdiction legally...but it is a mooted question Congress will decide during the present session...Col. Wooley told me this morning that he said to Gen. Wallace yesterday that he did not believe they could prove anything against either F or myself...[1/24/65]Things look now as if I should get off this afternoon...[7/14/65 Charleston, SC] Last Monday Gen. Gilmore issued an order for the immediate muster out of the 54th, but finding that he had no authority for such a course he yesterday countermanded it, until it shall receive the approval of the Hon. the Secy of War which it is very confidently expected it will, and that consequently the regiment will be mustered out very soon. The officers all hope for this and were very much disappointed when the order for muster out was revoked...Brigg's is endeavoring to get leave of absence to go home...He pretended to feel very ridiculous about writing the Surg Gen that he intended to resign...He will do well to take his old boots and leave - I don't like him. One single thing trying constantly to prejudice me against the Col. now Brevet Brig. Gen. is sufficient to sink him in my estimation. The Col. knows his business and Briggs does not. In fact the Col. is just the man in my way of thinking...Charleston has been very unquiet, during the last week fights between white citizens and black citizens between black soldiers and white soldiers and fights between citizens and soldiers here seem the order of the day as well as the night. I don't know how many nights successively I have had to be routed up to attend to the wounded of these bouts...Gen. Gilmore has been up from Hilton Head to restore order...[7/22/65 Charleston, SC]several of the officers have resigned and gone home among them Capt. Bridge... He resigns now more particularly because he dislikes the idea of colored officers, several of which are about being commissioned in the regiment...[8/11/65 Charleston SC]The final order for our muster out having been received at Dist Hd Qrs. This order issued from Dept. Hd Qrs directs that the 54th and some other regts including the 55th be mustered out..." Much more. VG to Fine.