The letter below is one of a series of 27 letters written by Colonel Dyer to his wife between August 31, 1862 and August 11, 1865.

A resident of Skowegan, ME, 42 year-old Captain Isaac Dyer was placed in command of the 15th Maine in August 1862 and received his appointment to replace Colonel Worder in September--his appointment to Lt. Colonel (and eventually Colonel) being made official, Dec. 12, 1862. He then commanded the unit through the remainder of the war, and received a Brigadier’s Brevet for meritorious service, March 13, 1865. Resigning from service, Sept. 13, 1865, he returned to Skowegan, lived to age 92 and was buried there in 1913. His 15^th Maine served in Louisiana and Florida, participating in the 1864 Red River Campaign, and later in Virginia, and was present at the Bermuda One Hundred. During service it lost 5 killed and mortally wounded and 343 by disease for a total of 348.

Isaac Dyer was a well educated, highly articulate correspondent and a shrewd observer of men and events. In this letter—[Dated Pensacola, Fla. Sept .13, 1862—4 pp. in ink on lined paper. 9.75 x 7.5”—Exhibits fold-marks]—Dyer writes of the regimental transfer from Carrollton, LA, to Pensacola, and the letter is truncated, breaks off abruptly after four pages. Excerpts as follow:

“Before this reaches you I presume you will have learned that our quarters have been changed. No one in our Regiment knew of coming here until a few hours before we started.

We had telegraphed dispatch on Monday afternoon at 4 O’clock to strike our tents and be in readiness to embark on board the Ocean Queen the next morning at New Orleans, at six o’clock. We accordingly went to work packing up our tents, etc., and at one o’clock in the morning we went on board two steamers at Carrollton and Sailed for New Orleans and there embarked on board the Ocean Queen for this place which we arrived on Thursday morning. We are encamped in that town on a small common (or plaza)

It is a very nice dry spot and close by the bay. The officers are quartered in houses close by their companies. My situation is very pleasant. I have a good house which the Adjutant and myself occupies.

The water here is first rate and plenty of it. The only objection that I see to the place are the scarcity of provision and difficulty getting mail regularly…There is quite a large fleet I the harbor and I have a fine view of Forts Pickens, Barancas & McCrae & we sailed up the harbor. The effects of shot and shell were quite visible although the Forts have been repaired since the battle…

Mosquitoes are plenty but we are not trouble much with flies…the men all like it very much so far, and all have tip top courage. Apparently I give them satisfaction but I don’t expect to please all. Some grumblers are always to be found do as you will…”

Solid 15^th Maine collectible from Pensacola collectible. In protective sleeve.  [JP] [ph:L]

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