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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Grand Rapids Dec 15 1861
My own Loved Gardner,
It has been a beautiful
day. but not a bit like any December I
ever saw before. The sun has shine all day
and it has been comfortably warm for the
last few days. The lilac trees in our garden
are all budding. I received a letter from
you last night and am very sorry to learn
that you have not better Officers, and
wish you had never enlisted where you
did. I remember very well your writing
your opinion of Berdan, when you was in
Weehawken, and hoped at the time that it
would not prove correct and am very
sory that it has. I suppose the good Sergeant
is Brewer. I hope so. Please do not miss
writing to me Sunday again if you can
help it much or no mad. I write to you
every Sunday and I like to think
that perhaps you are writing to
me at the same time. You have been
gone nearly four long months, and we cannot
tell how many more will pass before we
shall meet again. You must not think
I will join the ‘Queens of the Garter”
for when I join a company, I intend
to join a respectable one. I had rather
the boys would not think it quite so
nice. This is the last week of school for
this quarter and we will have two weeks
[ ? ] time. It is almost Christmas I never
seen the time before but what I was glad to
have it come, but I am not now. It is
a beautiful moon light evening such as I
have seen many times when you was here
to enjoy it with me. If you was only here
to night, but there is no good in wishing
so I will try to stop. Mr Ensigns and
Mr Ford have both enlisted. I have written
to David to day, we heard from him a day
or two ago, and he said he had not
recieved but one letter since he
went away, and that was from
Mr Hendershot, He says that he
enjoys himself first rate, and that they
are going to wipe J.C. out clean, and
come home in the spring. I hope they will
but do doubt it some Mother says to
tell you that when you can find nothing
better to do, you may write to her, if you
please. It is getting so late that I shall
have to close Good night with much
love from
Your Mary.
