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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside
Camp near Stonemans Station
Army of the Potomac Feb. 8th 1863
My Loved Mary.
Once more
of a Sunday eve I trace my
Soldier thoughts on paper to my
own Mary at home. Wondering
what she is doing and if she thinks
her “Soldier” will escape unharm-
ed another eighteen months.
How I wish you could see this
vast army as it is the country
it has desolated and strewn with
Northern dead making it em-
phatically a “Sacred Soil.” Sacred
alike to “Puritan” New England
to the vast and beautiful
West and the “fiery” and
“Chivalrous” Southrens.
But we would degenerate sons
of a great race were we to shrink
or recoil for an instant from
prosecuting this contest for
the Union even if every foot
of Virginia Soil drinks the very
hearts blood of some representa-
tive of our race. “Old fighting
Joe.” has commenced his career
as Commander of the “Army of
the Potomac” by making quite
a number important changes.
which show he has different
plans from his predecessor and
I think he will succeed, partially.
Brewer is doing well getting
tough and healthy says “give you
his kind regards. and he shall
kiss you next time any hour,
that “Good News.” has not come
off yet dont know as it will
this campaign.
you say your letters are short
better short than none at all.
Burnsides old Corps the ninth
has left us for the south. The
Sixth I understand is to follow
if it is true we can make no
advance on Richmond from
here.
With a good night kiss.
Ever yours
Gardner B. Clark
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary Baxter
Grand Rapids
(450) Michigan
