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https://micivilwar.com/authors/burge-caroden-s/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Fort Lyon Nov 15/61.
Dear Mother:
I have been
unable to write before. I
was called on picket last
saturday morning (which is my
time for writing to you unless
I write Friday eve) & we now
have to stay on picket two
da; so I did not get back
to camp until Monday noon
Then I was tired & sleepy. I
also found Lieut. Eldred sick
of a fever & offered any services
Tuesday morn at 1 o’clock we
we were aroused & at 3 marched
toward the rebel lines for the
purpose of making a reconnoi-
sance, & expecting to have a fight
But the rebels chose to give
us room. So after scouring
the country for about twenty
miles down the river we returned
to camp, our regiment having
marched over thirty miles.
We reached camp about 9 P.M.
tired & hungry. We took one
rebel soldier prisoner.
It is now half past
10 in the evening & I am
sitting by the bedside of Lieut.
Eldred. I am excused from other
duty at present & stay by him
night & day. He is improving &
his fever has nearly left him.
I am taking care of him at
my own request, as we were
friends & classmates in College &
it is a pleasure to take care of
such an one in his need. I never
felt it such a pleasure before.
It is not very hard for me
as at night I make my bed
beside his & so can sleep most
of the time.
My health is good as usual
& I now weigh one hundred &
fifty pounds.
I received yours of the
9
th to-night bringing news of
the package & containing the
receipts. I think I can get the
box without trouble.
You have spoken to me
about sending me papers. I have
received some & meant to
tell you that I should like
to receive the Herald
occasionally or as often as is
convenient for you very much.
I kept forgetting to speak
about it.
I have been thinking
what to do with any old
letters. I have concluded to
send them home for safe
keeping as I do not like to
to destroy them. I have taken
them from the envelopes & putting
as many as I could into an envelope
have sealed them up. I in this mail
send you five packages thus done
up. You can read them if you
wish but please keep them safe. I
send some to Lucey also.
The news from the Fleet is
cheering, & the news from Pikesville
Ky. also. What effect these will
have upon the rebels remains to be
told; but it seems at any rate as if
there
was is about to be activity enough
to suit all. I hope so. There is some
talk about out Brigade’s being placed
on one of the fleets. I hope it will.
May God bless our cause & the
righteous cause soon triumph & He
have the praise is the prayer of
your son. Let us hope & pray
while we work.
Caroden
[On Envelope:]
W Helmich
MC
Mrs. L. J. Snyder
South Jackson
Mich.
