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https://micivilwar.com/authors/burge-caroden-s/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
1861
On board the Mississippi May 22
Dear Sister:
I wrote to mother last
Thursday, but forgot that it would
be too late to go to South Jackson
that week & directed it there, so
I fear you have not got it yet.
I said then that I should
come home next Thursday night;
but last Saturday I learned
that I should have to go then
or not at all; So I packed up
and went and packed all my
books into my writing desk, and
the clean clothes and bed clothes &
and dishes into my large trunk,
and the dirty ones, together with
the saw my best suit and overcoat
into my small trunk. Mr.
Hill will send them (i.e. the
small trunk). If you should
want to get my books and
other clothes home you can send
for them. The keys to my room
and other things will be left
with Mr. Jones after my Chumy
Mr. Wells leaves. They
now with him I think that all
but the dirty clothes here better
he left at Ky at last for the
present. They will be in my room,
and Mr. Wells will be in the
room until Commencement, and
expects to be there another year;
When Wells leaves he will
label all my things, so if you
wish to send for them when
he is not there you will know
them, and the will be with
Elder Jones. I was intending to
come home but heard to get
the Small Pox, and thereby
[ ? ]
is into the army.
You spoke as though you should
not go to K. next fall unless
I should be there. You must not
think so; suppose I should never
come back would you want to
give up your studies entirely? You
can go as Miss Meiser did. I hope
I may be there then, but don’t expect
it. So you must fill my place
in College and yours too. Will you
hesitate to do your duty because
mine leads in a different direction?
It is hard for me to be away from
Mother and Sisters & friends. But
would you have me hesitate on this
account? Besides then is another
who can fill the place of brother
for you. But don’t forget to be
my sister. I expect to return to
my studies sometime, and to my friends.
I feel as though God was going
to spare me yet for another work.
I do not believe that all my
fathers progress and faith were all
in vain. And the prayer of faith
will prevail with God. Pray that
God may show me my duty and
give me strength to perform it.
I can not tell you all that
the
[ ? ] of
[ ? ],
[ ? ]
us. When we parted it seemed to
us like parting with Mothers & Sisters
I was surprized I have just
received your last letter dated 20
th
I am surprized to hear that you
did not find my letter in Jackson
I presume you have it before this.
All particulars about your other letters
will be found in that. I don’t know
as there is anything you can do for
me for me now that the ladies of K
have not done. without you can make
me of of the patent cap covers for preventing
sunstroke. I don’t know as you can
get the pattern there. They have them here.
Continued.
If you think best
I will send the pattern when
I send my watch home. We have got
our uniforms. We have not received
any pay. Expect it soon. If
you have three dollars to spare &
will send it, I will have some
Photographs taken with my
uniform on and gun in hand &c,
and send them to all my friends
I can get a dozen taken for about
the same
price amount as I can three or
four. I should like a couple
of silk handkerchiefs.
The ladies of Kal have
made housewives for the students.
We are very comfortable here, and
I am fat and tough. I have
gained five pounds since I
came. Does that look as though
was suffering much, as
[ ? ]
if soldier life did not agree with
me. The boys who thought I
could not stand it befin to
make up their minds that Burge
is “tough”. So don’t worry
in
about me. Trust in God.
I came near being promoted to
Corporal. The captain told me
that he should certainly have
promoted me, had it not been
for my age and size and did
not know but he should at any
rate. He said I deserved it.
Don’t you think it quite an honor.
I am clerk of the Orderly, Dick
Eldred and shall not have to stand
sentinel at all. This will make
it easier for me. fortune seems
to favor me so far; and The Lord
can present me if he sees fit,
Trust him. Today one of the seargeants
called me out of the ranks and
introduced me to Reb. Elde. Matthews
of the Howard Street Baptist
Church. I had some conversation
with him. Tuesday morning Elder
Van Winkle came down with us from
Jackson where I happened to meet him
Had a good talk with him.
Write soon and often. I will try
and do better. If you should write
to me and direct here after I am
gone, directing as before, it would
be forwarded to me.
Remember me to all my
friends, and tell them I should
like to hear from them.
One of Elder Crane’s sons
is in
the company.
Your affectionate brother
Caroden.
