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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Fair Oaks, Virginia
Historical Figures: Pierre G. T. Beauregard
Mechanicsville Va. June 15th 1863
My Dear Mary.
A week has gone
by since I took my pen to write you.
Not so much for the want of time. for
we only moved four times last week,
but I can think of nothing interesting.
I never had more ideas than I wanted
and now half the time I have none.
This morning at two oclock
we were were called out and with just
our fighting rig on marched some
three miles expecting a how every
moment. none came however and
about eight oclock we came back nobody
hurt nor scared. Since writing you
last our Co. has been transfered to
the right of the army here. which rest
at Mechanicsville, five miles from Rich-
mond by climbing a tree near our camp
one can see a spire in the city.
I have received no
letters from you of a later date than
the first. I do not suppose half the
letters intended for me reach me
and if they did I could not answer
them. June weather in Michigan
never was better than June weather in
Virginia unless the summer campaign
ends within a month a great many
soldiers will be over powered by the
intense heat. I think the Battle
of Fair Oaks has ended the fighting
before Richmond. Our army will not
attack them and they close not touch
us. we gain a little approach a
little nearer every week strengthening
as we go. They have probably one
hundred thousand more men here
now than we have and a deserter
that I saw yesterday said Beauregard
was on his way here with a part of
his force.
I cannot hear who was hurt in
the Battle of Fair Oaks that I know. we
only get a paper about half
the time and then have to pay only fifteen
cents a piece. Butter fifty cents per pound
cheese raisins and figs the same. I have
not tasted of either in so long probably I
shall not know what they are when the war
is over. The Western army is victorious
all that remains is for the forces now
in Va. to be the same and the thing is
ended. Please tell your Mother I
would like to have her write me.
Believe me. Yours, ever.
A kiss.
Gardner
