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Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside
Camp Mich 2nd Va.
Jan. 23d 1862
Dear Mother:
Again Thurs-
day has come & in
accordance with the
agreement promise of mine I
sit down to write to
you.
The reg. came in
from picket on Monday.
I am a little unwell at
present. I have been hav-
ing the jaundice a little
for a few days. I am at
most ready for duty
again. My cold is al
most gone.
I rec’d a letter from
Abbie a few days ago. I
answered it day before yesterday
I rec’d a letter from
Elmore which I will
answer in due time.
We are now waiting to
hear from the Burnside &
Missippi Expeditions. We
expect to hear good news
from them. The battle in
Kentucky was well fought.
Our arms seem to be
victorious in every quarter
It is a dark time for
the rebels now; “no pos-
pect of foreign recogni-
tion, & severses at home.
I know we are blind,
but as this is the best
form of government on
earth I can not think that
God means to destroy us yet.
We may be chastened long,
but I think we shall be
successful at last. Perhaps
the war will end without
the abolition of slavery, &
then it may be abolished
by legislation, as all will know
that slavery has been the
cause of the war. If this
is to be the way I do
not see why the war
need to be very long.
But we can not tell
how soon the tables
will be turned. If
slavery is to be abolished
before the end of the war,
I expect that we shall yet
meet with great reverses,
& that the war will be
long & perhaps other
nations will be involved
in it. But I do not
think it will be so. Every
one has a right to his own
opinion. But I am as
willing & determined as ever
to stay till the war is over.
It has ceased raining
& the mud is getting dried
up a little.
I have not rec’d a letter
from you since the fifteenth.
Our chaplain has obtained
a small library to which
we have access. I am now
reading Abbott’s Yong Christian
The students are well.
I have never seen Curtis
Fouler. It is not easy
to get a pass across the
Potomac; & the first is on
the other side of the
Poto
mac river
Give my respects to all
friends. Your Son
Caroden.
