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Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan
Arlington, September 25th, 1861
Dear Mother & Sister.
I should have sent
this letter Monday, but on that day
we had Brigade drill, & was reviewed
by Gen. McClellan, and then after all
we had to go on picket at the Cross
Roads; we did not get back from picket
till late last eve, so this is my first
opportunity to write. The firing on picket
has been stopped so it is not so unpleas-
ant as hentofore. Yesterday morning as soon as
it was light they began to wave handker-
chiefs & show symptoms of
[ ? ] friendly
feeling. They began to talk to us soon
and tried to persuade us to meet them
halfway. Some of them even came part
way, but we told them that our Officer
had ordered us not to go over our lines;
so they went back. Our officer though
went over & had an interview with them.
All day long we talked with them (they were
not more than forty rods from my post).
We told them our regiment, and they told us
theirs. On the A.M. It was the ninth Georgia,
in the P.M. the twelfth Alabama. I told them
I had a cozen from that state, but I did not tell
them my name or his, so of course I did
not find him. They had been firing
the day before from a barn, but our boys burnt their
barn rather mysteriously, so that our boys
had as good a chance as theirs. I suppose this
was one reason why they did not fire on
us. I remember
soon sometime in the last
of July that Abbie wrote to me about
12 o’clock at night; and was wondering where
I was. That night I was on picket with the Co.
within a few rods of the enemies pickets at Bull
Run, & within a half mile of their batteries
It was the night of the day after the first
battle. On that, or the next, you complained
because I did not tell you enough about my fare
I did not
think enough about there consider
them worth telling. Water was rather bad for
the three days there, have been taken from
standing puddles; but we had hard bread
enough, & some bacon. To be sure we do not
live in the army as we would at home; but if
we have money we can at some price get
good victuals. The fore at any rate is good
but plain & without much change. We got
our state pay a while ago. They are paying our
reg. to-day. I shall have a little money to
send home again I think, unless I get to
spending too much money. You thought I got
more than a private’s pay. I can explain that.
We get mileage from Kalamazoo to
Detroit which made the extra pay. I have
not been promoted. It is not what I came
for. If that is what a person wants he
must do more begging than I want to do.
I despise this spirit of
office-seeking. I came
to serve my country, and if they thing I can
serve it better by having a higher place of
course I shall not refuse; but if this is not the
case I do not calculate to beg for it.
Lucy asked me what I thought about her
going to Kal. this fall. I don’t like to advise,
but I will give my opinion. She says that she
can not go all the year anyway. If she can
go all of next year by staying at home this
I think she had better if she can mean-
time keep bright the studies of the past
year. She is welcome to the use of my books.
Besides I still think that those who come
home at all will be at home as soon as next
fall. So I may be there then. But I don’t
think she had better be influenced very much
by the prospect of my return.
You all seem very much afraid of
wearying me; I am never tired of hearing
anything which is dear to you.
I don’t want you to think that my
fare is hard because I don’t mention it
It is generally because I do not think it
worth speaking of. My health has
never been
better than it has since I have been a soldier, nor
in general, my spirits. These facts will speak for
themselves.
We have praching once in the Sabbath, when
there is nothing to
[ ? ] it, parer meetings on
Sunday & Thursday evening’s & bible-class Sunday afternoon
Then is considerable interest in religion, it may be
because of the danger which surrounds us; but if it
is this which causes this, I hope it will not end here
Pray much for me.
Your son & brother,
Caroden.
[On Envelope:]
W Helmich
MC
Miss L. J. Snyder,
Jackson,
Mich.
