On 2 September 1861 Albert A. Allard enlisted for 3 years of service with the Union Army. The 4th Regiment Vermont Volunteers was mustered in on September 21, 1861 in Wilmington, Vermont. Allard was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of Company I of the 4th Vermont Infantry.
Vermont Phoenix - 26 September 1861
Fourth Regiment
Vermont in the Civil War by George
Benedict
1886 - Volume 1 - Chapter VIII - The Fourth Regiment
Around September 23, the 4th regiment began their March to Washington, DC. Once they arrived in Washington, DC, the 4th regiment combined with the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th regiments to form the Vermont Brigade. In early October Vermont Brigade moved to Fort Griffin, a large Union encampment near Lewisville, Virginia a few miles west of the capitol. The 6th regiment joined them in late October.
Conditions were harsh at Fort Griffin. The first enemy that most soldiers encountered in the Civil War was disease. Finding themselves in close quarters with large numbers of people for the first time, new recruits were highly susceptible to common colds, measles, mumps, and other contagious diseases. Some were affected by typhoid fever, malaria, dysentery, and chronic diarrhea. These problems were common in the Union camps near Washington, D.C. Particularly hard-hit was Camp Griffin. Fevers, respiratory ailments, and cases of lameness grew rapidly as winter began to set in.
Vermont physician, Edward E. Phelps reported in December that one-quarter of the Vermonters were sick. He could identify no particular cause except to speculate that the grounds of the camp, "had become saturated with noxious elements" from extended occupation. Many soldiers suffering from illness had to resign or be removed to hospitals in Philadelphia and other areas.
On 2 January 1862, Albert A. Allard submitted his resignation due to declining health.
Camp Griffin, VA - January 2, 1862
Col. E.J.C. Stoughton
Sir:
I have the honor to tender my resignation as 2nd Lieutenant in Company
I, 4th Regiment Vermont Volunteers to take effect on the 15th of January
1862.
Cause, declining health - furthermore, I think remaining in service will
bring on permanent disability.
Very Respectfully Yours, A.A. Allard, 2nd Lieut., Co. I, 4th Regt., Vt.
Vols
Although, Allard provided a resignation date of January 15, 1862, he was able to resign a week early on January 8, 1862. He returned to his wife and young children in Baltimore to regain his health. The Vermont Brigade left Camp Griffin on March 10, 1862.
By July 1862 Allard was healthy and fit for duty. He reenlisted with the U.S. Navy and was initially assigned to the receiving ship U.S.S. Alleghany.