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https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Seven Days Battles in Virginia
Historical Figures:
Harrisons Landing
Aug. 6th 1862
My Own Mary.
I received your
Mothers letter last Saturday and
knew before I broke the seal that
some thing was the matter with you.
I hope you will get able to
write me within a few days. it
may be because I am selfish
but though I may hear just
as often from you it is not your
hand writing and I know its
not your thoughts flowing off
at the pens point.
I am well and tough.
But dying, dying of what the
French call “
[ ? ]” Dying, body
and mind though I think
the mind decays the fastest
You may expect to hear of us
in another fight before long.
we expect it and God knows
I for one hope for it. Anything
but this everlasting do nothing
I am sick and worn, and weary
with waiting and yet the great
and powerful North is not aroused
were they aroused to the pitch
of enthusiasm which the Southern
Confederacy are, the Rebellion
could not stand an hour.
Your mother wrote she was
uneasy about me after the seven
days fighting. She need not be again
for though I may be wounded
I shall not be killed. The old
adage of “the best go first” will
preserve me if nothing else.
A movement of some
kind is afoot. we are ordered to
be ready at a moments warning
with three days rations. whether
for retreat or advance matters
but little. My blood boils as
I write but not with passion.
The sum scorches and burns,
Burns and scorches until it is
almost unbearable even in the shade.
but as we have nothing to do
through the middle of the day,
we do not suffer probably like
harvest hands.
Brewer is homesick. would
give a farm to see his. “Mary”
and who would’nt.
Please write
me if you received five dollars
from me since the fifteen.
a kiss.
Always your Gardner
Night has come and I can-
not express to you the satisfaction
I feel for the news we have recei
ved to night. the Presidents
order for 500,000 men
and “Draft them,” immediately
and also the first 500,000 if not
raised by Aug. 15
th Good we’ll end
the war now. I am not dying
I’ll live and grow fat.
[ ? ] you should hear the joyful
shouts to night. the soldiers will
feel more contented in future.
My love and a kiss.
Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
Box 450
Mich.
