Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp Near Stonemans Station
May 26th 1863
My Mary.
I hardly know what to write to
my darling to day. there was a letter your due some
time ago but I had nothing to say. The news from Vicksburg
is highly interesting but may turn out like “Our” capture
of Richmond in our late raid. There is an effort being
made to take our Michigan of the First and Second Regts.
of US.SS. to the state and fill them up with con=
=scripts and if possible make a Michigan Regt. of them.
I do not expect it much as I may wish for such
a proceeding. At all events I do not think the Army
of the Potomac will make another move until after the
Conscription Act is enforced and we are reinforced.
Our Camps have been thoroughly policed boughs
brought in many instances miles and artificial shades
made to assist in keeping healthy and cool.
Last evening
I had a sham battle with my Co both sleeves of my shirt
were torn out in the
[ ? ]. my pants torn off. One long
wound in the forehead besides many smaller ones all
over me. I tried to get a round severe enough to get
a sick Furlough, but it was no go. Isman sent me
his picture the other day and wanted mine in return
but as I could not send that. why I did the next
thing to it. That is I sent yours. Now please dont say
any thing disagreeable about it for I own I had’nt “beter”
done it without first asking permission but I always do
things on first thought as not at all. And you know
we much not let an opportunity pass lest ones
[ ? ]
cools. And farther please dont draw any bad inference
from the act for if you should they might chance to be
false.
We had rather a novel sight in camp last Saturday
that was a young lady wife of a Lieut in the Regt.
I have not seen her nearer than ten rods but pronounce
her by far the prettiest of the season.
Please dont mind the shortness of your
letters but write often. The weather has been very
cool for two or three days.
I intended to have written you on your birth day
my thoughts go back with pleasure to those dear old
times of which that day more than any other reminds
me. Ah; those five years they seem more like dreams
than the passage of time. How little do we think of
and realize the pleasures of the passing moment never
thinking in our hopes and aspirations for the future
that the past will be longed for with aching and weary
hearts. But never mind the past only as it brings
bright memories and cheerful thoughts.
With love for you always
A kiss.
Your. Gardner
[Includes detached stamp]
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary Baxter
Grand Rapids
Box 450
Michigan
