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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, Edwin M. Stanton, George B. McClellan
Camp of Instruction
First Reg. U.S.S.S.
Washington March 16th 1863
My Own Loved Mary:
Another 16th
of the month has come. as I was back
to night over the events that have taken
place since then. and the scences of that
parting has nought but sadness fills
my heart. in this I do not mean the
Country at large but my own prospects
before the first year of my enlistment
is past I shall be numbered with the
degraded ones of this was unintentioned
on my part yet it was so decreed
probably from the commencement.
One
of your last letters I have not received
your Wednesdays letters I have lost I
am much obliged to Uri and
[ ? ] for
their letters and shall answer theirs in a
day or two. Our Second Reg. is going
to Manassas to morrow wish I was
going with them.
The Mich. Third goes to reinforce Burnside
in a day or two. Our Capt. has been
trying to get with some of the Mich. troops
if he makes out it will save disbanding
us. the War Department has got mad
at Berdans U.S.S.S. and Secretary
Stanton is not the man to folly long with
a nuisance. McClellan has been the
strongest friend Berdan has had and
now he has taken the head of the Army of
the Potomac will have not time to attend
to his numerous difficulties.
Brewer
is well in body he will be released
from arrest. I have quite a little ro-
mance to tell you. My chum Hinmass
has a brother Charles about seventeen years
old with one wooden leg he is a pretty
wild boy. and when Newell came away last
fall he said he was coming down here in
the Spring. Two weeks ago to morrow
he started with Norton Fitch but left Nort
at St Johns and came on here alone
arriving after a weeks travel safe and
sound at our Camp he started with
two violins, which he plays first rate and
said that it cost him but five dollars to
come. the Rail Roads letting him ride
free. he stoped at Pittsburg and looked
over the coal mines and allows he will
[ ? ] there soon. he said he told his
mother he was coming but she did
not believehime. He will stay ere
awhile and then go back. he is not a
bit sorry he came he says and he is
not the right kind of stuff to be home-
sick.
David says the fruit trees are
in blossom where he is and they
will soon be here.
Stillness reigns
over all the Camp so I’ll to bed.
Good Bye. Heaven bless and
[ ? ]
thee and keep thee from all harm
Yours Ever Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Box 450
Miss Mary J Baxter
Grand Rapids
Michigan
