Born in Bangor, Me., and educated in Norwich, Vt., Edward Hatch emigrated ca. 1852 to Muscatine, Iowa, where he operated a lumberyard (Hatch & Fullerton). After serving with distinction in the Civil War, Hatch on July 28, 1866, was commissioned colonel of one of two new colored cavalry regiments, the 9th U.S. Cavalry. He commanded the regiment for twenty-three years, serving nine years on the Texas frontier before assuming command of the Department of New Mexico (1876-1881). He died at Fort Robinson, Neb., Apr. 11, 1889. Nine letters, 1867-1870, from Hatch to his friend, Muscatine insurance and real estate agent, Thomas D. Smith, regarding the activities of his regiment in Texas and the sale of his Muscatine, Iowa, properties.,Letters discuss the training of troops, the protection of wagon roads from Indian attacks, skirmishes with Comanche, Kiowa, Mescalero, Apache, and Kickapoo bands, a trip to Chihuahua, Mexico, army reductions, and Hatch's presidency of court martials and military tribunals.