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https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George Washington, Henry W. Halleck, Pierre G. T. Beauregard, Robert E. Lee
White House Va. May 17th 1862
My Dear Mary.
I do not
know when another opportunity
to write you will come. and thought
I do not
fell feel like writing, “the
present is all I have.” Last Thurs-
day we came here only five miles
from Cumberland, or Indian Pt.
Landing. but through a heavy rain
which poured from “early morn to
dewy eve.” Beside from seven in
the morning till five at night our
knapsack did not leave our backs.
When I enlisted if any one
had told me I was capable of bear-
ing as much fatigue as the strong-
est man in the Army. I should
not have taken the trouble to dispute
them. because I should have
thought they did not know what
they were talking about. but it is
true nothing affects me heat or cold,
wet or dry. its all the same.
Y Yours of the 7th
came to the front this morning.
Brewer thought it short for my past
I am satisfied if I get a line
to my mind “a part of a loaf is
better than no bread.” and that
makes me remember that the
venerable old man, called “Uncle
Sam”has furnished me nothing
to eat for two days, and I have
drawed nothing from the U.S.
to night they say we will have some
supper. doubtful if I eat though
for I am not hungry yet.
Va. I think must
have been the Eden of old Adam
day. From Fosters Monroe
to this place. the scenery present-
ted at every step cannot be surpassed. and
I doubt if it can be equaled for
its quiet beauty. Col. Lee’s White
House as his plantation is called
where we are now encamped. com
prises some six miles square of
beautiful level land. with the
Panumkey River winding
arou
around one side. The house now
standing on on the same spot where
stood the one Gen. Washington
was married in and was
then a part of the Custis estate
Gen. Robert Lee the father of
Col. Lee is one of the leading
men of the Confederate States.
If you expect me home by
Strawberry time you need not expect
until the stawberry season of
1865. I place no reliance on
this year ending the war. Every
man and boy able to shoulder
a musket is in the field against
us what else but a protracted
struggle would you expect from
the North in such an event. we
are no better blood than they.
we have no more tenacity than
they. and we have no better Gen.’s
than they. Beauregard may
whip Halleck. I do not think
it impossible. Should he do so it
would protract the struggle six
months or a year longer. Our
Army here I do not think it
possible for any force to stop its
progress.
My kind regards to
all.
a Kiss.
Your own Gardner
