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Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan, Samuel P. Heintzelman, Schuyler Hamilton
Three Miles from Fort Monroe Va.
Camp of Mich. 2nd
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. These
blankets have eyelet holes
in the edges & ends through
which a string is run &
then we stuted these over
holes placed a little
crotches. These keep off the
the rain well but they
are rather low. We came
off the boats in the 20
th of
march
april. We had a pleasant
trip down the Potomac &
Chesapeake. I had a look
our upon the Atlanta & a
little trip upon salt water
(on the Chesapeake). I saw the
famous Monitor in Hampton
Roads. I also saw, & examined
the big gun Union & the
big Lincoln gun. They are
monsters. Many thing I would
like to tell you but I
have not time.
Yes Eldred is dead. He was
my best & most intimate friend
in the army. I did feel for
a time that I could hardly
stay here now. The par-
ticulars of his death I
do not know as he hav
been detached as a signal
officer. He was a chirst-
ian. I have not time now
to speak of him further
but I hope to at some future
time if I am spard
I was surprised when
I found by your last
letter, which rec’d day
before yesterday, it was the
first had rec’d from you
since the 15
th of March that
I had not told what divis-
ion I was in. I am in the
division of which Gen.
Hemd
Heintzleman was commander
before his promotion & corps
commander. It is now Ham-
ilton’s division, of Heintzleman’s
corps.
There are from fifty to
eighty thousand men here
at the Fort now. McClellan
is here in command. The
greater part of his army of
the Potomac I think will be
here. You may expect to
hear of
something some hot
work in this quarter before
long. We are to march to-
morrow morn at 7. I guess it is
only to move a little further on.
You must not expect to hear
from me regularly hereafter.
The compaign is about to com-
mence & I shall have, little time
or opportunity to write. But I
want you & the girls to keep
writing for your mail will be
forwarded to me. Direct to Wash-
ington as before; from that place
wherevefr we move out letters will
beforwaded to our reg. Playing
soldiers is over. I expect we shall
have real marching & fighting
now. But God can protect me
here if He sees fit just as well
as at home. Let us trust in Him
Write often.
Caroden
