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President Lincoln's call for volunteers to fight for the restoration of the Union was answered by common men throughout the United States. William A. Robinson was one of them - a simple farmer and a family man from Delaware County, New York, who enlisted for a three year term in Co. I of the 89th NY Volunteer Infantry in the fall of 1861. Over the course of those three years Robinson and his fellows in the 89th would see service throughout the South, participating in engagements at Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, VA, the Federal siege of Fort Sumpter (1863), Cold Harbor, Petersburgh and Fair Oaks. Robinson wrote home to his wife Mary as often as the rigors of soldiering would allow, and over 100 of these letters have survived to the present day. Robert J. Taylor has transcribed Robinson's Civil War letters in their entirety, supplemented by a history of the 89th NY with accompanying rosters and an index of full names. The letters describe the everyday experiences of the soldier in the field, alternating between the monotony of camp life and the thrill of combat. More important perhaps are his references to the other men in the regiment, noting illness, injuries in battle, hospitalization, deaths, court martial, desertion, the arrival of new recruits and the dismissal of veterans. Four appendices round out the text: "Military Service of the Men of Company I," including date of enlistment, rank, age, date and circumstances of death or discharge, and other biographical information wherever known; "Regimental Staff Officers," noting the same; complete rosters for Companies A-H, and K; and a "Compiled List of Men Crossing the Rappahanock River, Dec. 11, 1862." With a bibliography and three portraits.
