Harrison’s Landing

                                                                                  July 18^th, 1862

Dear Stephen,

Hyde and Dillingham left yesterday having taken a terrible time to turn over what little property was left to the Battery. Their resignation took effect on the 12^th. Scott & I and the men, except 2^nd  [[detachment]] assigned to Weeden moved over to Capt. Martin’s camp last Sunday and at present remain in status quo. We act as officers under Martin, taking our turns as officers of the day &c. and the men are incorporated with his battery.  Nominally, the 5^th Mass Battery still exists, having its officers and non-commissioned officers & it’s our muster and our payroll, but it is a very slender existence. I cannot sign a requisition or act in any official capacity as commander & have nothing to do with the men.

            Otherwise we get along pretty comfortably, Martin and his officers are pretty good fellows, and we have a pleasant mess, but of course, this dubious state of affairs is rather fretting.

                                                                        [ C.A.P.]

From the collection at the  Steven Phillips Trust House, Salem, MA