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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp near Sharpsburg M.D.
Oct. 5th 1862
My own Mary.
This morning
brought me one of your loved
missives. Wrote the 28th 29th which
with one written the 24th received
a day or two ago. are the only
ones I have had since coming
here. over two weeks ago. But as
I have not written more than that
I ought not to speak about it,
“All’s quite on the Potomac.”
waiting I suppose for “Father Time”
to bring cold winter upon us. forc-
ing overcoats and blankets upon
us in such quantities. that we can not
march until summer again rolls
around. Death. Wounds. and
cowardice have so reduced
our Non Commissioned Officers
that I shall be promoted to a
Sergeantcy. Were I along, for my
own self, I woul dnot take it.
But in no other way can I show
my friends, my standing here. Brewer
is gaining fast, and is to be promot
ted to 2nd Lieut. which leaves the
1st Sergts place vacant. were I not
so independent, I should have it. As
it is, it is doubtful. Time will tell.
Pay day does not come yet and I do
not expect we will be paid off until
next month when we will get four
months pay. I do not care as I have
as much as I wish to throw away
by that time. Yesterday we got forty
three recruits to fill the Co. to what
it was a year ago. and we have had
before sixteen. you can see what war
does. I believe I claim the
honor of being the toughest man in
Co. now Brewer is not here.
I am really sorry you did not go
to Vermont. “Maryland. My
Maryland.” reminds of that
“Mountain Home” so forcibly that
it seems you must like it better
than Michigan. I am sorry too
your father did not enlist in
a new Regt. I think that new
dress a peice of which you sent me
is real pretty. and you need to send
me your picture, because I am most
out. Either they do not wear very well
of they find hard usage. The last
I carried in my pocket from Har-
risions Landing and thus “ducking” it
in the Potomac nearly finished it.
If there was an artist here I would
send my phiz that way. I hardly
think you would know me.
Good Bye. Love and a kiss
Always your Gardner
