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Regiment: 17th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside
Crab Orchard, Ky
Feb 9th 1864
Friend Abbie;
I hardly dare look
for no expect forgiveness for my
long silence, but hope is strong
within me, I do not dispare of
being heard, therefor it gives me
pleasure in replying to your kind
favor received some time since.
Am still existing in this de=
lightful village, in the injoyment
of capital health, and expect to live
some time yet, if not longer, but
by the way I do not care to spend
many more of my allotted days in
this place, This is not a very
inviting place, but little remains
to intice one to make a very long
stay, +still less in which to claim
a perminant residence, I understand
it was one time quite a
“Sporting Village”, I should think
it to be quite a good farming country
about here, I have reference to before
the war, but war makes sad havoc
in all places through which an
army passes, I have not had an
opportunity to become acquainted
very extensively, in fact there are but
very few families here with whom
I should care to form an acquaintance
One thing which does not speak well
for the place, is; the almost utter
absence of female society; During
the Holidays a few came home
to spend them, but their stay being
so short, one hardly got a sight of
them, at best, the inhabitants of
Crab Orchard will bear a very good
degree of criticism.
Since my last to you, the
Hospitals here have been broken up
at least, consolidated into one Gen’l
Hosp. Many of the men who were here
have been sent off, some to the
“front” to join their Regiments +
others to Camp Nelson, We have
now about 140 remaining including
those in Hosp. 70 of the number are
on Guard duty, of the latter number
I have charge, so far as pertains
to their medical treatment. My
quarters are now in a Tent, but I
have a good large one with Stove + plenty
of wood, make out to keep quite
comfortable, though not so pleasantly
situated as I was when David
passed through here, How long I
shall remain here, cannot say –
Orders have been received here to
break up this Post as soon as
possible, therefore I should not
wonder if I yet had to make tracks
for Knoxville befor spring. I don’t
admir the idea very much, part==
icular at this season of the year.
We have a rumor that all the
troops belonging to the 9
th corps are
to be withdrawn from their present
position as soon as practicable
to join Gen Burnside in readiness
for some expadition this coming
spring. if so I hope they will
come along + save me the journey
out there.
I had long since expected
to have made you all a visit, but
circumstances were such that I
could not obtain leave of absence
without increasing the risk of loosing
my position here, which I did
not care to do.
I have heard nothing from Ypsi
in a long time. By the way; is David
there, or in Mich. yet, I mailed a letter
to Dr. Howland the other day, from whom
I have received no word in two or three
months. I do not hear from Wickham
either for some reason, perhaps he is
waiting for me to write again.
You intimated in your last, that you,
or
some one else had a “bit of fun”
for me; is it? if so please let me hear
it, am about dieing for something
of that sort, has Mary’s husband
made you a visit yet + how is she + Malissa +
[ ? ] well then Her name I cannot think of, Oh I have it Cornelia
Remember me to Lucy and husband – to you
[ ? ] Have you learned the
fate of Russell
[ ? ] Remember me to
all
would be pleased to hear from you as early
as convenient Very truly your friend HT Cliff
If David is there, say to him that I should like to hear from him
HTC
