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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Hampton Va. March 25th 1862
My Mary.
When I last wrote you I was
under the guns of Fortress Monroe. since then
we have been busy. Yesterday we unloaded
and at the once beautiful village of Hampton
now not a house remains standing in the place.
one vast mass of ruins. it was a town of about
three thousand inhabitants. and built almost
entirely of brick. was one of the oldest settled
places in North America. surrounded by beautiful
scenery, a in a healthy climate, and judging
from the ruins, should say it was a palace
calculated to make the endearments of home felt
in all their force. Why the Rebels should think
they were serving their country, in committing
such an act of vandalism. is beyond my
vision. In wandering about over the town
I found every conceivable article of household
goods, broken, blackened, and destroyed.
I hunted sharp for some article as a
relick
relic of the place. but could find nothing
worthy to take. one little shell I picked
up in the
[ ? ] of what was once a sick
mans house. it had withstood the fire, and
I believe like some characters. came out
not only unscathed, but brighter for the order.
It is a sea shell like thousands you have
seen. but a little too large to send with this
or I would send it I shall keep it though
and bring it myself.
These are seventy five
thousand of our troops in good condition within
two miles of where I write about two miles
from Hampton dock. the Rebels are reported
to be in force some six miles from us.
at Big Bethel and farthur on at Yorktown
another quite
of a force.
The Third is [ ? ]
I staid with Joel last night. the boys are fair
as ever we expect a brush before long. the picket
lines are only a mile from here. If you
direct your letters to Washington the same
as ever. they will follow the Reg. we have
had no mail since we left Alexandria.
We are in a beautiful pleasant country.
level with considerable pine. and some
[ ? ]
I got a good meal of oysters after we
landed at Hampton. the tide was down and
I waded into the water
d and picked them up
and opened them my self. eat them warm
from the shell you may think they were
not good if you like my opinion is different
I hope your Picture will come by next
mail. I have the burnt one which I look
at every day. but you look too reproachful
like in it to suit me.
Good bye
Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450) Michigan
