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https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, George B. McClellan
Camp near Falmouth Va
Dec. 28th 1862
My Own Mary.
I love to receive
your letters after the labors of the
day are over. They do me more
good. then I can sit down and read
them. and enjoy them. And perchance
answer them. Thus with yours of
Dec. 21
st my work was just done. I
have nothing to do but write you and
dream of you till morning.
Brewer writes he is lonesome
that the girls all seem more like
old women and every thing seems
changed. He does not think he will
ever be contented to live there again
How strange it is. All tell the
same story after going home.
“Home. Sweet Home.” has seemingly lost
its charms. Tell me have you
changed so as to make “Home” less
pleasant. I know better. I need
no answer. I dont know why I asked
the question. Your letters are always
the same. You must be the same. We
are ones who change the whole current
of our lives are turned. We must
return to our homes different men
Old Soldiers almost invariably return
to the Army. perhaps I would. I
dont see it though from my present
position. I wish I was there to see
what old “Santa Claus.” Would bring
you on his annual visit of
changing the old year for the new,
I think the old fellow ought to
drop you some of his choicest treasures.
There has been heavy cannon-
ading away on our left to day. but
I cannot think there is being another
advance made. “Onward to Richmond”
is stilled for awhile. “The press”
will have enough to do to fasten
the last defeat onto some unlucky
mans head. to keep it busy for
the next sixty days. Strange to
me how willing Burnside is to take
all the blame upon himself. And
at the same time telling the world
he thinks McClellan the only man
we have to whom so large an
Army. Could with safety be en-
trusted. Time who
[ ? ] all
things well may enlighten me in
the future. Will you please send
me a skein of black thread in
your next there is not a more
useful article for a soldier nor
a
[ ? ] I assure you
if I was there you should have
a kiss. and I’ll send you many
in my thoughts.
With my love always
Gardner
P.S. Thank you for your kind wishes. May
all the thorns be plucked from the roses ere
they reach your hands. A Happy New Year to all
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450)
Michigan
