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Regiment: 1st Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp near Washington
January 4th 1864
Dear Mother
last night
we arrived in what we call the
land of Rebellion we was
five days coming we staid
in Baltimore all night
it is very cold here though
not so cold as it is in
Michigan I expect we
shall go to the front in
a few days right in to
active service. Yesterday
we walked about seven
miles we have not drawed
our horses yet but
expect to before long we
met a good many Michigan
boys going home on
furloughs. I suppose you
have got that Seventy
dollars that I expressed home
if you do not get it
the best thing you can
do would be to go to
Detroit but I presume
you have got it before
this time. there was a
man fell out of the cars
where we was coming
down + we expect he
was killed as the boys
went back + could not
find him he was out
of our company.
there is a part of 5 or 6
regiments stationed here
with us you can see
Soldiers tents all around
just as far as a person can
see
they are mostly Cavalry
Regiments. we have little
tents with four in
a tent the word of it
is we have no stoves
but I am in hopes we
shall go down farther
where it is warmer
before long. I am a
writing on a blanket
+ it is rather a soft
place to write but
we shall get things fixed
before long. Boys that
have been here two
years say it is the
coldest they ever see
it it is snowing here
now quite hard.
we are about seven
miles from Washington
I will send you the receipt
that I got for my money
[ ? ]
you should have to go to Detroit
you can show it
I like Soldiering as
well as I expected
although it is a very
tough life. I cant
think of anything more
to write only answer
this just as quick
as you get it +
tell me all the because
a letter from home now
would come very acceptable
send me a paper to
when you write direct
to me Michigan First
Cavalry 3rd Battallion
Washington DC care of
Captain Carr give my
love to the children +
all enquiring friends
be sure + write soon +
I will answer right off no
more at present from your
son Birt
