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Regiment: 6th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Washington Iowa
Oct 1st 1864
Mrs Elizabeth Babcock
Three Rivers
St Joseph. Co. Mich.
Absent Friend,
On arriving at home
yesterday P.M. I found your
letter of Sept 25 acknowl-
edging the receipt of my
former letter & asking
information concerning your
Husbands death.
I am sorry you did not
get Mrs Newcombs letter
before mine for I did not
write just as I should
have don had I known
that my letter was to be
the first one to bear you
that sad news.
Mrs Ns letter & the
“Knapsack” were both di-
-rected to “St. Joseph”
St. Joseph Co. & that may
be the reason you have not
received them.
I cant tell you what
your Husbands last request
was but think Mrs N.
can tell you.
He had his senses I think
until about his last hour
& was very willing to die
where God should see
best to call for him.
He did not talk much
while I was caring for
him & I heard no murmur
from his lips
I dont suppose he was buried
in any of his own clothes
for in such cases bodies
are dressed in sanitary
drawers. Shirts & socks.
I cant say whether his
grave is marked or not
if the Clerk of the Boat
gave the Medical Officer
his name Co & Regmt
I suppose it is marked
The cost of bringing the
body home in a “Metallic
Case” would be great.
You can find out more
abou that by asking
some Express Agent.
I could have paid more
attention to these matters
last mentioned if I had
not been so busy caring
for other soldiers on board
who were very sick.
I am very glad you are a
Christian & have learned
to lean on our blessed
[ ? ] arm when
affliction & sorrow come.
Continually I remember
the Widow & the Fatherless
in my prayers.
Ever your brother in Christ.
Seth A. Arnold
Washington
Iowa
P.S. Please excuse the rough
appearance of this note as our
folks have no good ink.
S. A. A.
