Headquarters Camp Near Yorktown V.A. Fifth Reg’t Michigan Volunteers, Comp D April 17th 1862 My Dear Why is it that I have not heard from you lately are you sick or anything verry bad happened to you or paul + our little girl. the last that I heard was from Lib announceing that Paul was verry sick.
Burge, Caroden S. – April 14, 1862
Camp of Mich. 2 Near Yorktown, Va Apr. 14 1862 Dear Mother: Here we are before Yorktown & have been lying here since the 5 What I supposed to be only to change position proved to be a general advance. We wise two days in marching here (a distance of 24 miles).
Clark, Gardner B. – April 8, 1862
Camp near Yorktown Apr 8th 1862 My Own Mary. Sunday came and went this time and you will never receive your [ ? ] missing. I have a reasonable excuse, as you shall hear. Last Friday morning at break of day we were on the march for what we then supposed and what has since proved true “The Battle Field of Yorktown.”
Burge, Caroden S. – April 3, 1862
Three Miles from Fort Monroe Va. Camp of Mich. 2 April 3d 1862. Dear Mother Well here I am way down at Fortress Monroe, with my portfolio on my knees writing to you. I am sitting on the ground or rather on my blanket with my feet stuck out in front, under out shelter tent. This tent is a novel concern. Each man has an oilcloth blanket about six feet long by three & one half wide.
Clark, Gardner B. – March 30, 1862
Camp Porter Va. March 30th 1862 My Own Loved Mary. With three coats on I have been shivering all day. it is wet muddy, and disagreeable, yet it is due you that I should send a few cheering words of our prospects
Burge, Caroden S. – March 18, 1862
On Board Steam Transport Vanderbilt, Off Alexandria, Va. March 18 1862. I just write you a line as I do not know when I can write again. We came on board this boat yesterday &, expect to start down the river to-day.
Tyler, Cyril H. – March 16, 1862
Camp Harpers ferry Mar 16th, 1862 Dear Father I am in Harpers ferry all right & tight & tough, having a good time there is three brigades here in town. we are quartered in houses some as nice [ ? ] as I ever saw they were evacuated by the rebels
Clark, Gardner B. – March 15, 1862
Camp near Yorktown Mar. 15th/62 My Own Mary. Still we are waiting. for what I can only guess. It may be to let those who are to die live a few days longer. for the week past we have done very little. Troops and Artillery have been coming up until now we have 110,000 fighting men and near 800 peices of cannon. A day or two ago six of our men (Co. “C”) were on picket about eight or nine hundred yards from the Rebel guns. “Old California” as we call him. (his name is Truman Head and he says he is over fifty years old we think he is near score more than that. he came from Cal. to join Col. Bakers Reg. but for some reason did not do so and as good luck would have it came into our Co.) has a Sharps Rifles which he bought just before leaving Wash.
Burge, Caroden S. – February 21, 1862
Camp Mich, 2 Feb. 21 1862. Dear Mother: I have just come off guard & take this opportunity to write to you. For the past two weeks we have had so much good news – so many glorious victories – that we can hardly come down to sober truth.
Clark, Gardner B. – January 30, 1862
Camp of Instruction Berdans Hubug Humboy Washington Jan 30th 1862 My Own Loved Mary. As I lie in my tent milling the contents of that box I wonder what you are doing and thinking this rainy weather. Tuesday I went to the City for it could not find it and when I get back found it to the quartermasters
Clark, Gardner B. – January 12, 1862
Camp of Instruction Berdans U.S.S.S. Washington D. C. Jan. 12th 1862 My Own Loved Mary, Pleasant and spring like is the weather to day as warm as April days and telling us that though we may be inactive the seasons come and go the same time passes swiftly or slowly as we occupy it these [ ? ] you may believe it goes swiftly to me for at not time since I have been here have I been so busy as within a week past.
Franklin, Elbridge – January 12, 1862
Camp Michigan, Va Jan 12th 1862 Dear Parents, it has now been two weeks since I have writen to you but Luther has writen to [ ? ] + I to Horace since which we thought would answer as well.
Foreman, James A. – January 5, 1862
Camp Michigan Jan 5th Dear Dollie how I would have liked to have been with you and Paul to dureing the hole days. What good times we would have had would suit me. how often I think of you and as often wonder if we are to live any of the pleasant happy times over again
Foreman, James A. – December 2, 1861
Headquarters Camp Near Ft Lyon 5th Reg’t Michigan Volunteers, Comp D December 02 1861 Dear Dollie it is a little singular that my letters have not reached you. I wrote you two letters I think within a wekk but it seems that they have miscarried but perhaps they may reach you yet if not I will merely say that I expressed $15.00 to you
Carter, Walter P. – December 2, 1861
Camp Arlington Dec 2 1861 Friend Mary, I received your letter yesterday, and should have answered it last night if I had not been on guard. I shall not agree to write much of a letter this morning for I am so tired and sleepy and I can hardly think what I am trying to write about and my mind is constantly reverting to other selves which have passed and gone never to return.
Hitchcock, Eli – December 1, 1861
Camp Arlington December the 1 Headquarters 7 Reg’t. W.I Co. H Camp the 1861 Dear father and mother it is with plasure that I now set down to right a few lines to let you now that we are all at presant and hope theas few [ ? ] will find you all the same I have not much news to right
Morey, Albert – October 25, 1861
October the 25, 1861 Head Quarters Washington DC Camp benton maryla land Dear mother I sit me down to answer your leter that I recived this morning and was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well and doing well I am well at preaseant I hope these few lines will find you the same I will tell you some news perhaps you will hear of it before you get this
Foreman, James A. – October 1, 1861
Munsons Hill Oct 1st 1861 My Dear I am now seated under a pretty shade tree in front of a mans house we are here guarding the premises the New York 37 regiment are emcamped a short distance from here and they are bound to destroy the premises
Burge, Caroden S. – September 25, 1861
Arlington, September 25th, 1861 Dear Mother & Sister. I should have sent this letter Monday, but on that day we had Brigade drill, & was reviewed by Gen. McClellan, and then after all we had to go on picket at the Cross Roads; we did not get back from picket till late last eve, so this is my first opportunity to write.
Byrns, William – September 24, 1861
Kalanama Heights 3 miles west of Washington Dear Florence Sept 24th 1861 After a long tiresome ride, we reached W. on Saturday. I immediately moved into camp at this place. I am familiar with this region as It is near a fame of ours on Meridian Hill
Burge, Caroden S. – 1861 Diary
Caroden S. Burge 1861 diary. Sunday April 20, 1861. Spent the day in considering whether it was my duty to enlist in the Army for the suport of the Union. Made known my intentions in the even’g prayer meeting.