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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp of the 1st U.S.S.S.
April 24th 1864
My Mary
My Darling little Wife.
I dream of
you by night and your image is ever
present in my waking hours. And I
often wonder if our happiness of those
two month we were together is not too a
dream of yesternight. Should that rest=
less spirit which has been my constant
companion since earliest boy hood, now
be content to leave me. how happy
might I be with your love and compan=
ionship in the years to come. Those letters
of yours of the 17th & 18th awake a responsive
ache from the deepest feelings of my
heart. We must be very happy in the future.
I enclose with this letter from “[ ? ]“
of course I read it. but should not if there
had been any privacy in it. I am glad
Katie is getting so much better.
I have just come in
from a three days tour of picket. it
was the hardest three days duty I have
done this winter. The weather was warm
and dry. though it has an appearance
of rain to night. We are to move camp
in the morning about a hundred rods
onto drier ground I know not for
what purpose as we most leave here
within ten days. That review
finally took place yesterday and a
fine affair I suppose it was.
Although as you are aware
they have driven the Sutlers out of the
army. we have one at Brigade head
quarters who will furnish all one needs.
You can have no idea how the Regt
miss you. not the officers but the enlisted
men. you would have been well taken
care of had fortune permitted you to
remain here. Every one speaks of
you with respect and admiration and
I almost think some of them regret your
absence nearly as much as myself.
You seceded a Mrs. Clark
that Bell had down to Woods after
we left there. I have learned some
things about that lately that did Laura
know would break her heart unless
she has changed since her marriage.
Bell lived with Mrs. Clark at Woods
as I lived with you and took Officers
there for her benefit. Fred knew her
in Washington and went to see her
but she said she did not know him
and then told
[ ? ] there were officers
enough without associating with privates
I think I shall write oftener than
once a week for if it does you as
much good to receive letters as it does
me you ought to have them every day.
Yes you ought to trouble me with
your
[ ? ] should I not be the competant of you sorrows as
well as of your joys. Were you in my arms would not I hush
them all. Give my love and best wishes to all.
Bear my love in your heart and imagine
my kisses on your lips
Goodnight
Your Captain
Mary B. Clark
G. B. Clark
Ninth Corps
Co. C 1st U.S.S.S.
[On Envelope:]
Mrs Gardner B. Clark
Roxberry
Vermont
