Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/cliff-horatio-t/
Regiment: 17th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
8 Miles North of Richmond
In line of Battle
Cold Harbor, Va.
Tuesday June 7th 1864
Friend Abbie;
Since your last
of the 8
th was received, we have
seen much hard fighting + many
severe times. Yet our troops
are yet in good spirits + feel
that all will be well at no
distant day.
Was very glad to hear from
you all. you may believe from
in fact a letter from home or
dear friends is “meat + drink” for
a soldier.
11 o clock a.m. I had just written
the above when word came to
me that Davie was killed. Oh
such new, I went up to the
company +
[ ? ] they had just
sent out for his body. My God
my God you cannot know my
feelings at this moment. In a few
minutes they brought his lifeless
body in. He was on the skirmish
line when he was killed. There he
lay, poor David, so good so true
Oh, I cannot
[ ? ]
He was shot twice through
the mouth + in the region of the
heart. either one of the wounds
would I think have proved fatal
Davie is dead – can it be so – but
it is too true. I must stop for
the present.
Wednesday 8th
We buried Davie yesterday after
noon, desently. A good Headboard
to mark the spot where he lays.
We buried him under a small
Hickory Tree, in the edge of a piece
of woods a short distance from our
lines – I have all his effects – +
intend to forward them to his
Brother as soon as possible
He had written a long letter to
his Brother but had not sealed it.
It is indeed sad to think we
should loose such men. He, soon
ready to discharge his duties, be
[ ? ]
what they may. Brave + unflinching
at all times, his loss will prove
very heavy to the regt, though he
was not a commissioned officer, He
was ever called upon, when any
particular duty was to be performed
but he has gone. I cannot realize
that it is so.
I do not remember loosing a
friend of whom I thought more
of – he seemed almost like a
brother – I have written to his
Brother
[ ? ]innie this morning, +
assured him that both he +
his mother had the deepest
sympathy of the whole company.
He was most highly esteemed by
all in the Regt. I inclose you a lock
of his Hair – We of the co would
send his body to his folks, if it were
at all possible – but it is out of
the question at the present time.
I will not dwell upon this
painful subject – suffice it to say
we have done our duty towards
a dear brother soldier + sincere
friends – + so we shall have to leave
him – as another of the brave + true
who are gone from us, to return no
more upon earth. How sad;
This letter will prove a sad
one to you all. These are truly
sad moments to me, my mind is
too full for thought – at another
time, I will
write; not now.
My love + kind wishes to
all – + hoping to hear from you
soon, I remain
Your sincere friend
HT Cliff
