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https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan
Camp near Falmouth Va.
Nov. 26th 1862
My Own Mary.
With what pleasure
I received your loved epistle of
Nov. 16th last eve. none but those
who have watched and waited for
long weary days and then lain
down upon the bosom of Mother
Earth for a nights, or rather an
hour or twos rest or perhaps
the loving hearts at home who
have for months been unable to
hear from those they hold most
dear can tell. McClellan
is removed, but you are mistaken
in thinking the soldiers wished to
be rid of him. He is associated
with all our perrils all our hard-
ships and privations. as well as
with all our victories and I care
not who the man is that thus leave
his comrades in arms as the
circle of his duties are. so will be
the regrets at his departure. I have
never been an enthusiastic lover
of Gen. Geo. B. McClellan nor for the
year past have I thought he was
the man for the place, but this
tribute to his memory he is a true
soldier and gentleman all he lack-
ed in my estimation was quickness
and energy. Had he lived in the
old Feudal times when to do a wrong
was considered a forfeiture of knight=
hood. McClellans name would have
been handed down to us without
tarnish, but I am glad he is
gone and hope a better man
is in his place but very few
of the army think as I do, the
most of them would rather, (I
had almost said they had rather
loose the cause but that is injustice
to the patriots of our country,)
then would at least rather
[ ? ]
the war than have him super-
seded.
I believe I have not writ=
en you since leaving Warrenton
which place we “Evacuated” Mon-
day the 17th inst we have been
here two days cold and wet. looks
as though “Old Winter” had no
compassion for a soldier. Well
its on a par with “other folks,”
Mary I am in a quiet and
peaceable mood to night with no
warlike feeling circulating
through my blood, but if ever
I wished to fight to end this
God cursed Rebellion it is now.
We have here more than seven
Army Corps amounting to over
two hundred thousand fighting men. in good trim
and anxious to
[ ? ] down like the jaws of an
alligator on the rebellious Rebels. I advise you
to go and have that Fortune Teller show the
[ ? ]
of your husband that is to be. I’ll write you again
as soon as I can. But whether I write you twice a
week or once in two weeks.
[ ? ] always upon the live
a kiss of Your Gardner
