SOLDIER LETTER - PERRY BLY, CO. “M”, 9TH NEW YORK “STONEMAN” CAVALRY, DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED AT TODD’S TAVERN, VA

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Item Code: 224-313

Dated “Albany, Nov. 20/ 61”. Addressed/ w/cover to wife, “Mrs. E. B. Bly/ Harmony PO/ Chautauqua Co., N.Y.” 3 pp., 5 x 7.875”, on unlined paper w/patriotic wingspread eagle motif in upper left corner. Exhibits fold-marks, else fine.

Perry Bly enlisted at age 40 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in Co. “F”, 9th New York “Stoneman” Cavalry, 9/7/1861. Lieut. This letter was written at the very beginning, just his unit was leaving Albany for service within the Washington defenses through March 1862. Joining in the Siege of Yorktown, which kicked off McClellan’s 1862 Peninsula Campaign, the 9th New York entered the war in earnest, serving in all major operations of AOP cavalry through Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, mustering out in July 1865. During service the unit lost 90 men killed or mortally wounded and 133 to disease for a total of 133.

Perhaps the most memorable regimental moment was their service with Buford’s cavalry division in the first day’s (June 30th) fight at Gettysburg. Serving with Devin’s Brigade, posted to the north on the Chambersburg Pike, the 9th New York claimed the first shot fired by Corporal Alpheus Hodges at advancing rebels on the Chambersburg Pike at 5 AM on the morning of June 30th---an honor also claimed by Lieut. Marcellus Jones of the 8th Illinois Cavalry, whose claim is the one most credited by historians.

Bly’s letter divides into two sections, the first addressed to his wife, the second to his children. To his wife he reflects on the vicissitudes having to accept private’s pay pending official confirmation of his Lieutenant’s commission. To three of his children—Edward, Fillmore, Eva, & Smith--he addresses admonitions exhorting them to be good children and to do their duty to their mother and their god.

During the service to come, Perry Bly would receive promotion to 1st Lieut., 2/19/1862, while being transferred to company “M”; he would also be wounded at Mitchell’s Ford, VA, 10/11/1863, prior receiving his mortal wound at Todd’s Tavern, 5/8/1864, dying in the wake of the amputation of his severely wounded left arm, 5/17/1864.

Perry is buried in Bly Cemetery in North Harmony, Chautauqua County, NY. Of note, Perry’s son Reuben also served in Co. A, 9th New York Cavalry from 12/22/63 to 7/17/65.

Text:

“Dear wife we are safe here from all dangers of war. We may leave here on one days notice but it will only be to go into Camp somewhere else. We are unarmed & will not have any here. It is hoped we shall get our pay up to the present time before we leave here. We are having good times here. Some complain & some always will. I have had my Examination before the military board & it is all wright. I shall have my commishion before we leave this City but if an officer don’t earn all the wages he gets it is all wright if the privates have it hard. I don’t know to call the officers time but I cannot give any kind an ideah until we get settled & then I will to give you something of an idea but this I will say I get nary cent for being Lieut. & they say now I have to find my own horse & run my own risk of his being Kild & only draw privates wages up to the day before I left Westfield but I draw $130 per month from that on, but it will cost me $30 per month the best that can be done. Ever yours…Perry Bly.

To his children:

“Edward I want you to go to school every day after it begins & be a good boy & study religion. Remember your wild. Try to steady yourself & act like a man. Fillmore, you must be a good boy and learn your books. Eva, you must be a lady & help your mother all you can & study your books at home. Now Smith, you must be fathers man & he will try to make a soldier of you when you are old enough. And to you all my dear children remember your father & do your duty to your mother, your God & when you get to be be men do the for you country & be all men & Gods blessing will attend you. Adue from your father/ Perry Bly.”

The knowledge of Perry’s mortal wound to come, and the four children to be left fatherless, adds to the poignance of this letter, written at the very outset of his service. Excellent testament to a 40 year old volunteer who risked all to head off to Gettysburg and elsewhere and never came back. Accompanied by a brief amount of internet research material.   [jp/ld]

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