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https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Jefferson Davis
Camp Stoneman D.C.
June 1st 1865
My Wify
My Own Darling
Three letters
to day no wonder Clarke should
write and think of his “Girl.”
I expect Davis (Jeff) will feel
terribly cut up when he finds
out about our Grand Rapids poet
being down on him so hard.
Bates is heavy, when he can do or
say anything around a Womans
Petticots, and when he raves so about
“Hiding
[ ? ] weak manhood. The
shelter of a Petticoat he has doubt-
less. forgotten that in our four
years struggle he has done nothing
but shelter himself behind if not
within a petticoat. That he considered
himself so essential to postering as a
“
[ ? ]” that he dared not risk his
life battling for what=by his ac=
tions one would think his dearest
principles=where the danger actually
was. But he must needs keep up
such a desperate blowing that in
the dust he might escape obser=
vation. No. No: Mary believe me
had we not had better material
in our midst than the said Bates
the United States had gone back a
century with the lapse of four years
and there would not have been a sol=
itary
[ ? ] through all our with
to croak about “A felons end. Awaits
the sin. We found within. The shelter of
a petticoat.” W. No. go ask the bones of
my brave comrades bleaching in
the sand just across the river
what such men have done to assist
in the great work. Echo answers. What
But come to the merit of the ballad
it is not bad and had a soldier
said it it would inexpressibly rich.
You write of its being cool. Three in
a bad and one in the middle in
August would not generate more heat
than old
[ ? ] sheds upon us at this
time of the year at Camp Stoneman.
I dont have any muster rolls to make
yet but think I’ll have to muster you
for pay soon. The Government has
published an order authorizing
Corps or other Independant Commanders
to have all officers examined that want
to stay in the service. And recruiting
for the Regular Army has already
commenced. I propose if you can be
with me to not let “My office out”
but you must soldier with me or
I quit. David sent me the most of his box
although I do not care for it as I hire
my board by the week. Love to Mary a kiss to Mary
Always your Gardie
that conundrum is good
[On Envelope:]
Mrs. Mary B. Clark
Grand Rapids
Box 215
Michigan
