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https://micivilwar.com/authors/burge-caroden-s/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp Near Fort Lyon,
Oct. 21st 1861
Dear Mother & Sisters:
To-day it is
just three months since
the great battle of Bull
Run. It is six months to-
morow since I first put
my name to the muster-
roll. Six months a soldier!
Is it possible! I can hardly
believe my memory. The time
amid all the excitement of
the season has passed
rapidly away. In this
time I have seen almost
all the reverses of soldier-
life. I have been amid
whistling bullets & whizzing
cannon balls, have pursued
the flying enemy and been
pursued by the enemy
ourselves the fugitives,- have
been on picket where to show
ones head was bring balls
whistling by it, and again
stood boldly
[ ? ] and con-
versed with the pickets of
the enemy – have advanced
under a scorching sun & retreated
through med & pouring rain –
have slept on the tented
field, and rolled up in my
blanket & slept under the
open sky – camped for weeks
in sight of
the enemy our
National Capitol and camped
before the enemy
farer far
away on Virginia soil – and as
yet I do not see anything
which may not be home.
Still I do not forget
my home or the friends
who are there. Do not be
too anxious about me.
Our countrie’s flag shall ever wave,
Or be dyed in the blood of many a brave.
I spoke to you a while
ago about some socks. If you send
me a good large blanket with
them it would be very accept-
able. The government blankets
are rather small for winter,
and winter is drawing on.
You need not be in a hurry
about sending them. Perhaps
there may be something else.
When you send them if you
think of anything else which is
convenient which you think would
be of service to me, anything from
home would be doubly dear. Winter
is coming and we can carry a
few more trinkets in cold
than we can in warm weather. I must
hurry to get this in the mail.
Your son & brother Caroden.
Direct you letters the same as
before. C.
[On Envelope:]
W Helmich
MC
Miss L. J. Snyder
Jackson,
Mich.
