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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp of Instruction
Berdans U.S.S.S.
Washington D.C. Feb. 2nd 1862
My Own Mary.
Friday brought me your loved
message of Sunday written perhaps at the same time
my pen was tracing my hearts thoughts to one whom
I believe will ever be my better angel guiding me
where otherwise for the right and good where otherwise
I would be heedless and careless careless whether others have
what I claim for myself only looking out for No. 1.
Fitch is going to stay awhile and recruit for
this Co. if it had been possible for me to brought that
kiss you know I would have sent it. I will agree
to one thing however and that is to bring you more
than one. one of these days. We had a pretty big time
with the Wisconsin Co. last night and this morning
the Officer of
of the Day undertook to arrest one of
them for whistling after tattie in his tent. he was
whistling the Rogues March for his special edification
and as the coat fitted him he thought to be seven-
ged. but as it was dark he could not tell which one
did it and no one would do it so he ordered the
guard to arrest every one in the tent. upon that
the Badgers out, and one said they would all go if
any went. whereupon the Officer wanted to know who
said that. he couldn’t find our so ordered that tent
full to be taken too. They finally got the first squad
started when the Badgers made to rush got them away.
and no one could tell who they were
[ ? ] were
used pretty freely but to no purpose the Officer swore
he would have them if it took the whole Reg. little help
he would get he got the Lieut. Col. out and other officers
but they had to give up for the night. this morning
the Col. came with the Officer of the Day and a guard
with loaded guns declaring they should shoot any that
resisted. the guard however would not have fired a gun
if they had been ordered to. the Col. then had the four
men called out and tried to find the one that whistled
no one knew. The whole Reg. soon flocked around
the Col. became
[ ? ]: threatened to run his sword
through some of them if they did not leave for their
own quarters. One told him to “run it through him.”
finally he sent two to the Guard House. one man stood
by the Col’s side and said “the boys all ought to go” the
Col. took him to the lock up hut pretty soon discharged
them and it was well he did because if had not
the Guard House would long before this have been
torn level with the ground and the Col himself would
have had to leave the Camp of Instruction. Afterward
he tried to make the Badgers tell who of any of the other
Co’s was among them offering to help them if needed
the Badgers were “Know Nothings” which was probably
lucky for me. I cannot picture the scene as it apper-
ed to me it was wild and exciting in the night and
but a pretaste of what is surely in store for some certain
men unless things change for the better.
They have got some
of Colts five shooting guns for the Second Reg. but they
[ ? ] they will never take them. Col. Berdan says they will
“ither” take them of pick stone. and they say they will
“pick stone.”
But it is bed time so good night with
much love always your Gardner
Monday Morning. I have only time to say a part of
the Reg. has been under arms all night and the
order has come for no guard mounting. What it
means will write in a few days. Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Wm Mitchell
Box 450
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
Michigan
