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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp near Falmouth Va.
Dec. 5th 1862
My Own Mary.
In what
better way can I imploy my
time this stormy December eve
than by writing to one who
although sadly neglected of late
occupies more of my thoughts
than all other persons or
subjects beside. I know of
none, and for a subject will
take. My home “as it is
to night” First then I have
a partner Hinman
by name, four pieces of what
is called “Shelter Tents,” which
are each six feet square with
one row of button holes on the
edges and one row of buttons some
three inches from the edges of three
sides. Two of these peices are
buttoned together for the sides and
one peice at each end. We split
some logs put two on a side
[ ? ]
ing it about one foot and a half
then drive a crutch at each
end place a pole across throw
on the tent, fasten the lower
edges to the timber. completes the
house, outside. Inside I can
just stand straight a table the
whole length of the “House” Just
high enough to sit on the ground
and write. Occupying one
half of the entrance end, stands
the one thing which to night make
our tent “A Paradise” a fire-
place and in it a roaring fire.
We built it yesterday of mud
and logs. It took us all day
but time is nothing here.
Snow commenced falling
just after noon to day and
will I think keep it up all
night. I received two letters
from you since I have written
cold weather being my only ex-
cuse for not writing oftener.
I expect we will win-
ter here the roads will be
so bad it will be next to
impossible for an Army to
move. I have read the
Presidents message to day. for
stubborn facts, stern solid
reasoning. it can not (in my
opinion) be beat. The Presi-
dent is perfectly master of the
Subject. and History will find
for him a brighter page than
for any other man of “Our Country”
in war time.
“All quiet along the Rappa-
hannock” will be the
[ ? ]
[ ? ] phrase for this
winter I expect.
Yours Always
A kiss. Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450) Michigan
