Sept. 7, 1863 [Monday]. New York.
I. M. Fisher, Esq., Dear Sir:
I owe you an explanation of my apparent neglect in so long permitting your letter of August 5th to remain unanswered. It reached me only a day or so before our Regt. left the last encampment we had in Virginia, and since that time, I have been busily engaged.. I would have replied to the letter immediately on its receipt but that I expected, to obtain from others, some information in reference to one or two of your questions that I did not possess.
Before I received your letter, both Capt. Bush and Lieut. Hamilton, had left the Regt. The former having been ordered to St. Louis, Mo. as Asst. Provost Marshal, and the latter, sent away sick, and so that some particulars in reference to which you inquire cannot be as satisfactorily answered. Perhaps as they might have answered, had I had an opportunity to see them after receiving your letter.
I saw Lieut. Hamilton only a few days before you wrote to me and did not know, until I inquired of him, that he was about to write to you in answer to a letter he had received. I hope this letter contains all the information you desire.
The 10th Infantry was on the right of our Regt. on the 2nd of July. The brigade had advanced to the edge of the river in front of Round Top Mountain. We remained there for some time before another advance was ordered. During this interval your son came over and sat down with me. We remained together in company with one or two other officers until the Brigade prepared for another advance. It could have not been more than five or ten minutes, after we separated, before he received his fatal wound. I did not see him after his death. The morning after the battle or rather of the day in which we were engaged I went to look for his body. Lieut. Hamilton had it in charge. It has been removed for burial from the place where it had been for some time and I was unable to find Lieut. Hamilton to ascertain where the body had been conveyed. I wanted very much but I did not succeed.
From all I can learn, your son was dead before the evening reached the spot where he had fallen and they were so soon pushed that no time was left then to take anything from him. I do not know certainly, but I think that Lieut. Hamilton had the board placed at the head of the grave and also attached the card to it.
Capt. Bush forwarded your son’s watch to Washington where you can obtain it. Bedsides the watch, there was $51 recovered. $50 of this amount was Company funds in his possession.
Two months pay, at least, must have been owed him and there will also be additional pay to the amount he had received from the time of his promotion to a 1st Lieutenant.
Capt. Bush is not a relative of my wife’s family. He is from Illinois.
I sympathize deeply with you in your great affliction. You have indeed suffered a great loss. You may very well be proud and treasure the memory of him for whom you mourn, he fell, or he had lived, in the discharge of his duty. He was a brave man and a good officer and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his associates.
I have been relieved from duty with my Regt. and now in recruiting service and after departing at Boston and ascertaining where I am to recruit.
I shall go down to Sussex for a few days. Whilst there, I shall ride out to see you.
Remember me kindly to Mrs. Fisher.
Truly your friend, C. Rodney Layton
Rodney Layton to Isaac Fisher
Rodney Layton to Isaac Fisher
Rodney Layton to Isaac Fisher
Rodney Layton to Isaac Fisher
