Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/burge-caroden-s/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp of Mich. 2nd Dec 19th /61.
Dear Mother:
I fear that my
delay in writing has caused
you much anxiety, but
since I last wrote we have
changed camp twice & for
the past week we have
been so buisy building
ourselves log houses that
it has been almost im-
possible to write. Besides
we have had no conven-
ient place during this
time.
Lieut Eldred is now
well & I am doing duty
in the Co. again. I have
had a seven cold for about
two weeks but am getting
over it as fast as could be
expected. I took cold Mr
[ ? ]
canlessness. When taking
care of Lieut. E. I slept on
the ground by the side of
his bed. One one side the
tent has not been ditched
through neglect. A severe
rain storm came on in the
night &
ran the waters ran
into the tent. & wet my
blankets. But I lay till
morn, & neglected, for a day
or two, to air my blanket
so my blankets were damp
for two or three days.
The box of clothing was
acceptable indeed. The shirts
were just the thing. That
pocket under the arm is
very convenient. The blanket
is very serviceable. If I had
thought I should have had
you send a dark colored quilt,
for a quilt of half the
heft of a blanket is much
warmer than the blanket.
But perhaps it is well
since if I should get a
quilt wet it would be dif-
ficult to dry it. I think I
shall get this blanket fined
& then it will be as
[ ? ]
as two blankets.
The apples were a treat,
not so much for the sanity
as that they came from
Michigan.
The Soldier’s Relief Associ-
ation has made arrangements
with Adam’s Express Co. to
send
donate articles free to
Mich. Soldiers. By putting
on a particular address you
can send me anything you
wish free. I will get the
address before I finish this
letter, as our Orderly
Sergt. has it.
I always forget to speak
about papers. I wish you would
send the Herald occasionally;
I like to read it. I have rec’d
a number of copies from you.
We have moved so much lately
that meetings have been very
irregular. There is to be a prayer
meeting to-night.
I don’t think much of your
arrangement with the girls. I
want you to write every week
& the girls too. If you don’t care
about one from me oftener than
once in three weeks I will agree
you every week.
Yours in haste
Caroden.
P.S. Boxes should be marked.
“Donation for Michigan Soldiers.” Care
of “The Michigan Soldiers’ Relief Associ-
ation, Washington, D.C.” so marked
the Adams Express Co. will forward free.
C. S. B.
