Rensselaer William Foote Rensselaer William Foote ( November 12 , 1815 – June 26 , 1862 ) was an American Army officer , a " Regular " from New York who served in the Seminole Wars in Florida , against the Sioux in the West , in Arizona and California and in the Civil War on the Virginia Peninsular Campaign . Foote was born ( prob . ) at Delhi , New York to Charles Augustus Foote ( U . S . House of Representatives from Delhi ) and Margaret Baldwin . Civil War . After a 24 year career of military service he died at Gaines ' Mill , Virginia where he was buried on the field . There is a memorial marker in his family lot , Woodlawn Cemetery , Delhi New York . Uniform and Journal . Foote was an officer in the U . S . 6th Infantry , " Regulars " in the Seminole wars in 1841 . After a term of service that included duty in Oklahoma , Arkansas and New Mexico territory , he died at the battle of Gaine ’ s Mill . It was the first battle he participated in during the Civil War . His letters , Journal kept in 1839 - 42 mainly in Florida , and the uniform of Col . Foote are in the Collection of The Main Street Museum White River Jct . Vermont . Excerpts from the Journal . Pelatka , Fla . Dec 25 , 1840 . . . The day I left N York I had the blues horridly — at the idea of leaving so much comfort , but my duty required it . My two particular friends ( Tyler & Fields , ) went over to Governor ’ s Island , with me to see me off , but I returned to the City < with them > , and took leave of them in Wall street . We had some agreeable ladies on board ship , and spent our time pleasantly . Mrs . Merrill , with her husband , who board at the Astor House , going to the South for his health , made us drink , champagne every day for sea sickness — a very agreeable medicine , truly . . . Jan 12 , 1841 . . . Some Indians with their squaws are in camp this morning . They visit us most everyday — they are encamped a few miles from us . Uncle is holding another truce with them , in the vain hope that they will all come in , and they are very well satisfied to eat our provisions in the winter , and murder us in the summer . I would give a months ^ pay ^ to see them all hanging to some of the pine trees around us . . . [ saw ] three of the rascals , one of them appeared to be a negro . . . . . . Adjutant gave me notice immediately after inspection that there would be a parade . I formed “ F . ” Compy on the right in line of battle , and was not aware of the object of the parade , until I saw the prisoner in front who was to receive 50 lashes for desertion , with < clo ? > some other punishment . After the proceedings and approval of the Court Martial were read , the prisoner was tied to three muskets stacked , and received the 50 lashes on his bare back , inflicted with a small rattan by the Chief Musician . He twisted and yelled a good deal , but I think he got off cheap . This was the first flogging I ever saw — Friday , January 12 . — Yesterday Col . L arrived here from Fort Clinch with some women and children and a few women ' s on their way to Tampa . . . February 3d — Nothing wonderful happened to day — nothing to stir up the dull blood , or drive off ennui . — The Sun rose as usual , and has set behind the everlasting pine trees , — and the Moon is now shedding its soft and gentle rays upon us , occasionally obscured by some passing cloud which impudently thrust itself before her face . [ p . 10 ] . . . Occasionally the notes of a flute come wafted to our ears from the quarter of the soldiers mingled with the song and merry laughter of ^ many a ^ reckless son of Mars . Here is a group of them squatted round < a . > one who seems to be engrossing their attention with tales of hobgoblins , witches , ghosts , and wonderful scenes in which he himself has acted no mean part — he is eloquent , as you may see by their silent attention only interrupted at intervals by an exclamation of surprise or wonder . A little farther on another group may be seen whom frequent shouts and peals of laughter , are evidently occasioned by some witty jest , or stage buffoonery of the oracle of their little circle . The soldier is the same the world over , as soon as enlists he throws dull care away , and becomes a reckless , thoughtless , light hearted being — thinking of nothing but the p [ r ] esent , and regardless of the future . Citations . Margaret Maxwell Marvin [ Maynard ] , through Frances Maynard [ Ford ] pp . , copies of Bible of other records of births and marriages . Collection Main Street Museum . Katherine Adelia Foote , " Ebenezer Foote , the Founder ; Being an Epistolary Light on His Time as Shed by Letters From His Files ; Selected by his Great Granddaughter . . . " Delhi , 1927 . Foote Family Record , embroidered sampler showing the children of C . A . Foote , and Foote Family Bible Record , ms . The Main Street Museum , White River Junction , Vermont .