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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Fort Cochran, Va.
Sept 10th 1862
My Own Loved Mary.
Once more
near Washington this time for
the defence of the City. Fort Cochran
is just across the river from George-
town and in full view of both
that place and Washington. I
have received five letters from you
written while we were on our march
from Harrisons Landing the last
was dated Aug. 27
th Many thanks for
them. they are the only consolation
a Soldier gets for his weary trumps.
And I am thankful I dont
wish any others. Brother Osman
has enlisted. I am glad of it
but I did all I could to prevent
it. he will make a good soldier.
Beside I believe the Confederacy
will be established without much
more fighting. The Rebels claim
they are only fighting now for a
boundary line. they have earned
their right to a seperate Govern-
ment, and I will not be back-
ward in acknowledging as much
they have driven us from their terri-
tory invaded our own and threaten
with a force with which they can execut
to take Baltimore and Washington.
Nashville lost Fort Donelson again.
Rebel property. I cannot enume-
rate them all look at the list and
see if there not more truth than
poetry in their pretentions.
I had a letter from Guild a
few days ago his wound heals
slowly. We hear nothing from
Brewer. I believe he is alive some
where.
I will endeavor to write
oftener when I get recruited
a little. We move eight or ten
miles a day, just to keep us from
rusting. Sept 11
th last evening
I received your welcome note
of Sept. 5
th. I am sorry I
did not know you were expect-
ing to go to Vermont sooner
for I had money enough to
pay your expences there and
would have been glad to have
sent it to you had I known of
possibility of your needing it. Pay
day was almost at hand so unfor-
tunately I lent above fifty dollars
to be paid after pay day. that will
be sometime within ten days please
write me immediately if you do
not go before I will have time
to send it.
Yours as ever
a Kiss Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450)
Mich.
