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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Hiram G. Berry
Camp on the R.R. one mile from Savages
Station Va June 4th/62
Dear parents I now take this opportunity
of writing a few lines to you to let you know
that we have again met the enemy + as before
our Regt. badly cut up. Elbridge received a
flesh wound in his leg near the thigh which
will lay him up for some time to come. He went
to the hospital at Savages Station the morn
ing after the battle which took place on Sunday
the first Elbridge was hit before he had fired
his gun or anyone else in our Co he by the
help of his gun as a cane suceedid in getting
back out of danger when two men one from the 3
rd
Mich + one from the 81
st NY when had got out of
ammunition were retiring from the field
came across him + took him from the field to camp
Our Regt lost in killed + wounded 159, our
Aputant was killed Capt Quackenbush of Co
H was killed Capt. Traverse Co E wounded
mortaly Lieut Knox Co D was wounded feared
mortal Capt Miller + Capt Wilson wounded
this Co lost 2 killed + 2 wounded
Of the killed in this Co is Samuel Healy
from the town of Fulton he was shot in the
temple the other was from Clinton by
Not a man from this Regt. went in the
field with less than 60 rounds of Cartridge
which then shot away + no ammunition ariv
ing we had to retire. Of Gen Berry’s staff
but one man escap;ed unhurt Capt Smith
was killed he is the one that Elbridge spoke
so higly of in his letter after the battle of
Williamsburg. Last night + today it has
rained almost constantly. I must close
for to night as it is getting dark.
Friday A.M. June 5th/62
It looks a little like clearing off this morning
it rained part of last night. The roads are
almost impassable. We signed the
payroll last night + will probably
get our pay today so I will not close
this until I see. I should have written
before if I could have got paper + envelopes.
As they are making preparations to march
I think I had better close as the same
preparations were made yesterday morning
I will not send this until I see
This from your Affectionate Son
John Franklin Luther Franklin
