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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: William H. Morris
Camp of Convalescents
Fort McHenry Md
Saturday Oct 25th 1862
Dear Father. Yours of the 15th I receiv-
ed on thursday. The last letter I received
from you previous to this was dated Sept
16th. I have received 3 Republicans since
I have been here. Last week I did not
write home. I am getting along well
There has been no change since I wrote
last. I am in the same tent. I have
the same duties to perform which are
to keep our tent as neat as possible
& to eat our meals. The latter is called
a duty here by those who consider it a duty to
preserve our lives for the preservation of our
lives is all that persuades us to eat the
food so disgusting to the palate.
Life is still to sweet for me to starve my-
self to death by refusing my rations.
I have heard of living on hope but I
cant do it, although it adds a great
deal to my fare. I have hoped to get
away from here, but my hopes have not
been realized. & here I still am within
one week of mustering day, still unable
to do duty & no likelihood of my seeing
my regiment right off. Since my last
about 300 men have been sent to their
Regiments & thursday all the men in the
camp was examined & 200 more were found to
be able to return to duty which will be sent
away next Monday. Major Evert who comm-
ands this camp is trying to have those left
here mustered for pay next Friday. If he does
not succeed I shall probably be 2 months
longer without Pay.
We (Cripple Brigade) have had some fun lately
& I believe have dome some service to our Country
besides eating its damaged flour.
Within the last 2 weeks numbers of rebel pris-
oners have been sent here & quartered in
the barracks till they could be sent to Aiken
Landing to be exchanged. Some of them were
wounded & all were in a poor condition for
clothes. Wealthy secesh Ladies (“She Rebels” we call
them) from the city came over in their nice
carriages bring apples pies cakes everything
nice to eat besides clothes. The clothes were
grey & would be good uniform for the rebels most
of
which whom will soon be again in the field
To see the women express their sympathy not
only to the rebels as men but to their cause
by presenting them with uniforms was more
than we could stand. Twice by order of General
Morris the guards dispersed the crowd that had
assembled about the carriages although we went
no farther than to let the Fair Rebels know
our feelings concerning their course though
we did not do it in the most polite manner.
Last Saturday a few of the boys the most daring
removed the tugs from a harness & left 2 ladies
without immediate means of getting away
Finding that this act was not condemed by
officers under Gen Morris the boys became more
bold & about 5 oclock PM between 2 & 200 of the conva-
lescents stoped a carriage between the gate & the barracks
The horses were turned loose & the 2 ladies in the
carriage were unpleasantly situated for the boys
smashed everything that would smash. tore
the carriage nearly to pieces & carried off or cut
up $200 worth of clothes consisting of coats shirts
& pants. Our object was accomplished. Nothing has
since been brought in to the rebels & I can venture
to say will not while the Cripple Brigade remains
here. Gen Morris has since issued an order forbid-
ing any
clothes thing being brought to the prisoners
but the order was first issued by us & we saw that it
was carried into effect & are entitled to the credit
The General’s conduct is condemed by all.
You enquire where my regiment is. About 3
weeks since it was near Uptons hill Va which
is about a mile from Mansons hill where we
were one year ago. I have heard nothing about
our Company since Luther left it.
Now, that election is near at hand the letters
from home are doubly interesting to me.
I shall anx
I shall anxiously wait for
one from Horace
containing the County nominations.
Luter & I write to each other every 2 weeks.
In my last from him he said he was better
Be sure & send me the majorities on the
County election & how NOrth Star went
I have made a long letter & will
make up for my not writing last week
Your Affectionate Son
Elbridge Franklin
J. Franklin
[On Envelope:]
John Franklin Esq
Pompei
Gratiot Co
Michigan
Oct 25th 1862
Camp of Convalescents
Fort McHenry
Md
