Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/burge-caroden-s/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, Winfield Scott
Georgetown Heights, D.C.
1861
Camp Mansfield, June 12th
Dear College Mates:
here we are
right in the enimies country,
U.S. soldiers! It is hardly
possible for me to realize that
I am one of Uncle Sam’s soldier
who must go and come at his
nod, no matter how perilous or
disagreable the duty. But so
it is. Here we are moving
towards Carper’s Ferry.
Yesterday we moved from Washington
to this place four miles. But O how hot!
Yesterday in coming here from
Washington about three hundreds
of the boys fell back of the
regiment, on account of the hear!
The College boys all staid
in the ranks. Two “boys,” one
from company F, the other from
Co. D, were
were sun struck.
My
I am growing far and tough.
I believe that I am getting
to be the toughest (the word tough not ambiguous I hope) one in the
company. Today we are to move
six miles farther towards Harper’s
Ferry. We expect Harper’s Ferry
will be taken this week; and
we hope to be there. Our move-
ments seem to indicate this.
We are getting near there, and
think that their purpose is
to get so near there that
they can call us there in a
very short time, if needed.
Monday we were reviewed
by General Scot & the President
of the United States.
I saw the General, but
not the President, for he
stood on the steps of the
White House, among other persons
and as it is not
soldierly to
be looking around, we did not
dare to be looking round very
much as we marched by
the Big House. The President
and General seemed very much
pleased with the reg. Every-
where they tell us that our
reg. is one of the finest, and
best equipped that has been
seen; and Michigan, which
at
home is called
imbecile,
is everywhere else said to
be
the state. We feel very
proud. May we never take
one
farther laurel from the
brow of Michigan, but may
we at last
add one when
brought to the test. We started from
Detroit at 7 P.M. Thursday last,
and reached Washington at 3 A.M.
on Monday. All the rest that
we had was 18 hours at Harris Burg
We were obliged to travel
all all
of the Sabbath day. Little like
like the Sabbath it seemed. But
O what fine senery! Especially on
the Alleghamies! I was lost
to every thing else. If ever I return
I mean to spend a few days in
these romantic spots. And O the
reception which we received at
every place. Through Ohio an Penn
at almost every station they brought
on to the cars, coffee, pies and cakes, &c.
Fair hands waved us on, and blessings felt
from the lips of the fair and if there
are any of the fair
[ ? ] who have claims on any
jealous, had they seen the fair hands which were
extended to them as they passed along.
