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https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Sparta Centre July
Dear Mary:
I believe the last time that
I saw you I promised to write to you.
That soldier has come home and
he has promised to write with me.
He has been discharged and has
come home now to stay.
I suppose you are acquainted with
Mary Swinson. I saw her a few days
ago. Poor Mary! I pity her so; She takes
her soldiers death very hard.
Hester’s brother died in the Hospital a
few weeks ago with the Typhoid fever. His
funeral Sermon is to be preached this
afternoon at three o’clock.
Tomorrow I commence my second
term of school for this Summer.
I am only going to teach six weeks
this time. I am coming back there to
school when the next term begins. I
shall be glad to get back again.
I would like very much to see you.
but I cannot write much this time.
Do write soon.
I remain with much love
Your Friend
E. Balcom
Miss Baxter
Although I am a
stranger to you I have hard your name
spoken so often for the last two years by one of my
most esteemed friends that it almost seems as
though I was acquainted with you. + at Nells request
I will write you a few lines by asking your
pardon if I have over stepped the bounds of strict
Etiquette. I am a soldier no more having been
disabled for the service while at play with
your dear friend Gardner. I miss his company
very much as we were fast friends. I sincerely
hope that he is not hurt in these last Battles. I
have written to him but have not received an
answer. when they are the march they have not
much time to write + if one writes to their
dearest friends it is as much as they can do. I
hope he may not meet with the same fate that
Lieut Brewer did. Oh! how many. many of our bravest
& best Boy meet with like fates. Mr. Field one of our
Co has been home of furlough he was wounded twice.
he returns next monday. I dont know whether he
will call on you or not. perhaps you may think I
am rather familiar but if I came to the Rapids before I
hear from friends Gardner I shall make you a call to
ask after him. no more room to write. consider me as a friend
& well wishes. Newell Herman
[On Envelope:]
Miss. Mary Baxter.
Pleasant Mich
Grand Rapids
Julia 22,
Mich.
