Guilford Mace enrolled in the army during the Civil War on 8/26/1862 at the age of 30.  He enrolled for 3 years at Palermo NY, which is in Oswego Co., NY.  On Sept. 22 1862, he was mustered in a 1st Sergeant of Company F, part of the 147th NY Infantry Regiment.  The 147th Regiment left the state on Sept. 25, 1862 after receiving their firearms in Elmira NY.

Belle Plain, VA
Jan 28th 1863

Dear Uncle- Having a few leisure moments I will write you a
few lines concerning the 147th Reg of which your unfortunate nephew is a humble member. 

   For the last two months we have been guarding the sacred port of Virginia and trying to keep ol Johnny Rebel from routing Uncle Abraham from his very comfortable quarters at Washington.  No man had the least idea of soldering in the field until he takes a hand at it himself.  Some of out milk and water officers of a (hious) turn of mind have concluded that they were not made for the business and have resigned.  Among the rest - our Wooden Capt- Who made such great promises while raising his company and who has fulfilled them in such a cowardly and contemptible manner.  He started for home this morning the men rejoice that he has gone.  If your Country is ever called upon to raise more men never put a man in for an office who is not willing to enlist 
as a private no one who is an exhaster or Preacher or any other Hippocratic. 

   They come here for the pay alone and care nothing for these men or the country.  Our company has been nearly ruined by the Capt. Some of them have deserted others have become discouraged under his mismanagement and sickened and died.  We now report 51 men present 24 absent in the different hospitals of Philadelphia and Washington.  Some of those will probably be returned to duty but the majority will be discharged for disability.  Our 1st lient McGridley has sent in his resignation which will probably be accepted.  He is a man we all love and respect and shall be sorry to part with him.  Our second lient Lee will try for the captaincy of the Co.  I expect to get a commission either 1st or 2nd lient.  The Capt's position belongs to me by right but a man cannot get his rights when there are rich mens sons to be procided for at least that has been my experience.

   I like the business well enough if it has got to be done.  I am in good health and can sleep in the water several inches deep without great inconvenience.  We had a march in the mud for the last week and got stuck and have had to return to our old quarters at this place. Such a bedlam as an army on the march makes you cannot conceive especially if it storms and the soil is clay of the stickiest kind however our lads stood it well.  Will Ure, Jud Dolhear and others with whom you are acquainted went through it like old veterans.  It rained all last night and to cap the climax, it is snowing today.  Will Ure says he would be satisfied if he only had as good quarters as your hog pen would make, for all that we manage to make ourselves very comfortable.  We have orders to build shelters for the government animals which does not look as though we were to move again very soon.

   The guns with which we are supplied are a poor article of rifle musket. They are of English make and were taken from an English Steamer that was trying to run the blockade.  We shall so the best we can with them when called upon.  We should have had a brush the other day if the clerk of the weather had not interfered and stopped operations.  Our Commanding General has been replaced at his own request Fighting Jo Hooker takes his place.  From our camp we can see the Potomac about 1 mile distant.

   There are old Oaks here that would do your heart good to look at. 4 to 5 feet in diameter and the branches spread far over a hundred feet.  They were probably planted by the first settlers of this country for they stand in rows and at regular intervals. Some of our soldiers had cut and slashed at them in a way to make ones blood boil.  I don't mind tearing houses & barns to pieces for they can be built again, but trees like those it takes hundreds of years to grow. 

   The boys catch squirrels (grey ones) by running them down. They have caught several since we have been in this camp.  No shooting is allowed.  They occasionally catch a rabbit which makes fun for them for the time.

   You must excuse the style of this letter for I have no table to write upon.  I have to write upon my knee and the boys skylarking about me on all sided. We have got good boys and I like to see them enjoying themselves. 

   You must answer this for a soldier looks for the mail as much as a child for sugar candy and I will keep you posted Give my love to Aunt & Cousin