On a Rant About Time Off and Pay

Like many Americans throughout history, the Civil War soldier had his frustrations with government. Leroy D. House was no exception. A clockmaker from Bristol, Conn., House served as a captain in the 108th U.S. Colored Infantry. On duty guarding Confederate prisoners at Rock Island, Ill., during the holidays, he made the best of life far away from the front lines in sub-zero temperatures — but couldn't resist venting in this excerpt from a letter penned on Dec. 24, 1864, to friends at home in Connecticut:

"Congress has adjourned over the holidays, and the members have gone home to receive their Christmas & New Years Presents. They ought to give the army power to adjourn over the Holidays and let the soldier go home. But we do not expect the same privileges as citizens. A member of Congress when he thinks his pay is insufficient can vote himself more, while the soldiers must wait with patience for Congress to do him justice. We expect an increase of pay before Congress adjourns in the spring. We view it as an act of justice, but if the powers that be do not see fit to do it, we shall not find fault with Uncle Sam, but try to bring our expenses within our means. Nearly all Civil officers of the government as well as all clerks and Provost Marshals have had their pay raised since the commencement of the present war, while the officers in active service receive no more to day than he did four years ago when all of the necessaries of life cost but little more than one third the present price."

This letter is part of the collection of the Connecticut Historical Society.

Road Trip to Connecticut

New Haven is home to Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Among its extensive holdings are a number of excellent African American images, mostly from the Randolph Linsly Simpson collection. Many of these images are available by searching the library's online database. However, a handful were not, and I determined to travel to New Haven to view them.

I had it in mind to visit in August, but did not have a firm date planned until my friend Pete reminded me that New Haven is close to the home of our mutual friend Dave. Also that New Haven is home to two of America's finest pizza places, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Sally's Apizza Restaurant.

A plan formed: Drive to Connecticut on Sunday, pick up Dave, and have dinner at Sally's. Monday at the Beinecke followed by late lunch at Pepe's, then drive home.

The trip was a complete success. The Beinecke staff were exceptionally courteous and helpful. The handful of images I came to see included one excellent carte de visite of a first sergeant and fifer from the Sixty-seventh U.S. Colored Infantry. Added to the other images I had previously found in the Simpson collection, all men from the Twenty-ninth Connecticut and 108th U.S. Colored infantries, I left the library after having made arrangements to receive high-resolution scans of thirty photographs — a staggering total from a single source. I like to think the photograph shown here of me in front of the Beinecke with my hands forming the big 3-0 celebrates the moment.

As for the pizza, that too became a research project. Dave, Pete and I ordered a white pie with clams and tomato pie with sausage and pepperoni from each restaurant. We unanimously agreed on the winner: Sally's. Each of Sally's pies, with ingredients fused into a complex flavor profile that includes the perfect thin, crunchy crust, easily won the day. Sally's was worth the wait, two hours from the time we lined up until the first pizza made it to our table. Pepe's had the advantage on three counts: Aromatic and richly-flavored sausage, ambiance inside the restaurant, and service. But these factors were not enough to put Pepe's over the top.

Special thanks to the guy at Sally's who held our place in line while we grabbed a quick beer!