From The Regimental Flag: The Confusion of the Regiments

part of a series from the regimental newspaper of the 2nd Delaware Infantry

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From The Regimental Flag (Vol. 2), January 23, 1862, pg. 2
The Confusion of the Regiments

In connection with the regiments furnished by Delaware for the present war there is a very important matter that ought to be considered by all Delawareans, and the War Department at Washington. It is the confusion that the designation of these regiments has been allowed to fall into by those persons who had them in charge.

When the rebellion first broke our President Lincoln issued his Proclamation, calling upon the different States for troops. Delaware was directed to furnish one Regiment of Volunteers to serve for Three Months. This regiment was furnished. It was known as, and was in reality, the First Regiment of Delaware Volunteers. It served out the campaign for which it was called out, and was honorably discharged from the service.

While the First Regiment was in the field, another regiment was raised in Delaware, which was the Second Regiment of Delaware Volunteers, and is at present on duty at this Camp. Delaware had thus far, then, furnished Two Regiments.

After the First was discharged, the Second being then in the field, a Third regiment was started in Delaware and filled up, and when organized was designated by its officers as the First Regiment Delaware Volunteers. This regiment is now stationed at, or near, Fortress Monroe. Now, how can this regiment be properly designated as the First seeing that it was raised subsequent to the time that the true First regiment had been organized, served out its term of service and been disbanded, and a Second Regiment being then actually in the field? It cannot be contended that it was a re-organization of the First, for scarcely any of the officers and few of the men who composed the original first regiment are now in the so-called First. For the Colonel of the true First Regiment is now General of the Brigade stationed here, and there, is no less than Four Captain, Five or Six Lieutenants, Corporals, Musicians, and privates who belonged to the First regiment, now in this; So that in this behalf our Second regiment has a better claim to be known as a re-organization than that known at present as the First; for there is not above three of the original captains at present in that regiment. It may be said, also, that be designating the regiment now at Fortress Monroe, as the First instead of the Third it is made to appear that Delaware has sent only two Regiments to the war, when in reality she has sent Three.

Again. It was create great confusion when the history of Delaware in regard to this war comes to be written, by this matter of two First Regiments.

So, it deprives those officers, who on the breaking out of the rebellion so promptly stepped forward to the assistance of the Government of all the credit to which they are so justly entitled and consigns—as far as their official military capacity is concerned—to everlasting oblivion.

To all these consequences we enter our earnest protest; for, as an officer of the original First regiments we feel deeply interested, as well for our self, as for the honor and glory of our gallant little state. We think it is due to history as well as the officers who composed the First Delaware Regiment, that the proper authorities should take the matter in hand, and have the proper designations applied to the several regiments.

In closing we will mention this fact viz: that if this (the second) regiment and the so-called First regiment were thrown together in Brigade, the strange anomaly—in military affairs—would be presented of the officers of the Second regiment ranking the First and the Second taking precedence of the First on all occasions.