September 18, 1862
This is the earliest letter that we
have from Charley Goodyear.
In the beginning of this letter to F. W. Gunn, Charles hints at the most recent conflict in the War and the effect it is having on people. He has noticed a decline in support from the people towards the generals and the president, but urges people to have continued faith in the commander, McClellan. He then goes into a fairly lengthy conversation about his opinions of McClellan, whom he considers the best general for the moment, about Burnside, whom he seems to have no issue with, and about McDowell whom he considers a traitor. The letter then shifts from army politics to the mundane. He mentions other Connecticut regiments in the area, including the 15th which his brother Gilbert is a part of. He also writes of his fondness for his friends left in Washington and Mr. Gunn's school. He also mentions seeing an account of Mr. Beecher's sermon in Washington. Beecher was an important anti-slavery figure, and an ally of Mr. Gunn. He then mentions that he has gotten word that the 19th Connecticut (The Litchfield Regiment) has arrived. This regiment included many friends from Washington for both Gunn and Goodyear. He finishes by telling Gunn that he will write to Mr. Gunn's son, Dan, the following day. We do have that letter.
A7264 is the identification number of the document for the archivist.
In the beginning of this letter to F. W. Gunn, Charles hints at the most recent conflict in the War and the effect it is having on people. He has noticed a decline in support from the people towards the generals and the president, but urges people to have continued faith in the commander, McClellan. He then goes into a fairly lengthy conversation about his opinions of McClellan, whom he considers the best general for the moment, about Burnside, whom he seems to have no issue with, and about McDowell whom he considers a traitor. The letter then shifts from army politics to the mundane. He mentions other Connecticut regiments in the area, including the 15th which his brother Gilbert is a part of. He also writes of his fondness for his friends left in Washington and Mr. Gunn's school. He also mentions seeing an account of Mr. Beecher's sermon in Washington. Beecher was an important anti-slavery figure, and an ally of Mr. Gunn. He then mentions that he has gotten word that the 19th Connecticut (The Litchfield Regiment) has arrived. This regiment included many friends from Washington for both Gunn and Goodyear. He finishes by telling Gunn that he will write to Mr. Gunn's son, Dan, the following day. We do have that letter.
A7264 is the identification number of the document for the archivist.
