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https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-egbert-b/
Regiment: 5th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln
Port Gibson Mi May 7th 1861
Dearest Nellie,
Perhaps you can imagine
but I cannot express how agreeably surprise-
ed I was last Saturday to receive another of
your highly prized missives. From what I
had heard I was lead to believe our corres-
pondence could not longer be conducted thro
the medium of the mails, but as yet I believe
there is not much difficulty as the mails
have not yet been interfered with, but how
soon they will be there is not telling. I had
not written the past two weeks as I thought
there would be no use in doing so. but I
hope you have given yourself no great un-
easiness about me as I am well and doing
well and shall endeavor to see you at
as early day as I have before mentioned
and world be very glad to close my school
now could I do so without sacrifiging too
much of what is
[ ? ] me here so you see
money_that prolific source of Evil_is stilled-
taining me when I would gladly close, what
is getting to be a very unconqenial occu-
pation. But they say all’s well that ends
well so I hope soon to close my present
engagement with the consumer and satis-
faction of all parties concerned.
I saw an account of the accident about which
you spoke in the Detroit Free Press which was
a very serious affair indeed. It seems Flint
is suffering a great many casualities and
your Father is a sufferer among the others.
I hope his loss was not severe however.
At the same time that I recd your last letter
I got one from Mr. K. containing an account
of his peregrinations for the last few weeks I
am considerably surprised thereat and think
I shall hold Miss Em responseible for his
return tripes. He wrote me he was thinking
of going to Australia but I hope he
will not go away so far as it would be
so long before I could see him again
however.
The condition of our country is truly
distrissing. I hardly thought Lincoln would
assume the responsibility of a civil war
but such seems to be the case and as
long as he sees the people of the con-
federate states are determined. I think
that he ought to see there is more honor
in telling them along than in risking
hundreds of thousands of lives. But enough
of this melancholy subject, but
I think if
he saw things as I do it would be better for
the whole country.
I attended a party a week or two ago and
enjoyed myself tolerably for the circumstances
I made the acquaintance of Miss Mollie
Brown the young lady that presented a flag
about which you once spoke the is a very
modest and finte a sensible lady I think
I suppose you are not having so many
[ ? ]
in Mich at the present time as in winter
I am making out quite a long letter but
I am thinking it does not amount to much
when written but if you receive it it will
[ ? ]
form you of my good health. I will write often
if these is a probability of letters going through
and pleased do the same yourself. Your last kind
(See next page)
letter is a great treasure to me. I hope
Heavens choicest Clipings will be your re-
ward for your kind prayers and wishes.
I will close by hoping that we shall meet
at the close of a few more weeks, not to
be again separated for a long period.
I remain, Dearest,
Ever Your Devoted
Egber
May 11
th Dearest
I came to twon to
day and recd yours of 25
th [ ? ] and
am as glad as ever to hear from you
I heard from Mr. K as I told you
before I don’t know where he is going
now I will write you again the
first opportunity. I hope this will
make haste to you and inform you
of my welfare. I
hope the difficulties
will yet be arranged.
Your Constunt
Egbert
[On Envelope:]
Miss Ellen M. Besley
Flint
Michigan
