Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside
Camp near Falmouth Va.
Dec. 18th 1862
My Own Mary.
The Battle is ended. Burnside
defeated, and we are back in our old camp.
What do the people say. Who’s to blame.
Is it the soldier in the ranks. were they coward-
ly. Far from that. their bones that even now
lie bleaching through the Streets of Fredricksburg
and up to the very muzzles of the Traitors
guns. Attest the falsity of the accusation.
Is it our Generals, or is it the Superior ability
of the Southerns which makes the attempt unsuc-
cessful to cope against them. I’ll not admit
the latter. I know we have just as good
men as every stepped on Southern Soil. If it
is the former. I have soldiered long enough
have been experimented upon enough they
cannot kill me in the ordinary course
of events but I had rather have a few
less men try plans to that effect. We
were five days from camp three days heavy
fighting. I did not think Burnside would
give it up until he had stormed the Rebel
position but he did and retreated by night.
Our loss will probably reach five thousand
I do not think it will exceed that.
I presume we will stay where we are un-
til Spring comes. it will take “thirty days”
to recover from this defeat by then the broken
weather will be here and so another delay.
Brewer wrote me he should surely call to see
you and wanted to know what he should tell
you for me. Now I dont want you to believe
all he says unless he tells a very reasonable story.
He may take a notion to tell a pretty big yarn.
I think I can write oftener now I will
try at least. I know there was a long while
I did not write but these must have been one
you did not get. We have very cold weather
but no snow days are clear and pleasant.
A kiss. Yours always
Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450)
Michigan
