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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, George B. McClellan
Harrison Landing Va
July 13th 1862
My Mary,
Yours of the 6th
I received this morning and two or three
beside I believe since writing you.
By the
general tone of the press I see there
is a wavering a lack of confidence in
some of our higher officials. where
to trow the blame of this last great
disaster no two agree. Some believe
Lincoln an imbecile. Others McClellan
a traitor and yet others Stanton only
an intrigue
[ ? ] working
soley solely
to supplant those above him. and if
possible control the destinies of this Hem-
isphere himself. I am not in a position
to judge who is true to country. and
who is true to selfish instincts only.
But whoever is responsible for our late
defeat should stand deep in the causes
of the Nation. And though newspapers
publish it on every sheet and writers and
talkers proclaim it to all the world.
McClellan is not regarded as a being above
suspicion, nor is he idelised by his soldiers
as many would try to make believe.
No one will deny but he is a thorough
Scientific General a man with a large
head and a strong mind. but he has
failed. failed too where almost the nation
was at stake. where the hearts of twenty
millions of freemen were turned hoping
expecting beleiving, he would triumph.
And now the blame will be laid if
possible in some other shoulders others
must bear the action while had he suc-
ceeded he would have
borene borne high
toward the pinnacle of fame. Is this
just, is it right, Let no man idol-
atry fill the hearts of the people North.
But let them go to work anew,
[ ? ]
for yours of desperate resistance on the
part of the South. prepared for blood
and treasure to flow like water, prepared
for death to enter every household, and
for our Countrys sake, prepared to have inforced
more energetic measures. Since men by the
thousands and money by millions until
the war is ended as it should be, in favor
of the perpetuity of the Union. I will
fight forever if need be rather than have
the Confederacy established. But I have
written enough of this and have nothing
else here worth thinking of.
My love always
a kiss. Gardner B. Clark
Please send me some more stamps
