Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/potter-charles-h/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
St. Louis MO
Benton Barracks
Dec 5th 1861
Dear Parents
I received your letter
last night with pleasure.
I was very glad to hear that
your are all well accept grand
father and that he was getting
better we are all well and
in good spirits. I dont know
as there is any thing new
here now only that there
was another man shot the
other night while standing
on guard he was shot through
the his rist which used up
his arm pretty near there
was a large regiment came
in this afternoon. I don’t
know what regiment it was
well about those pictures I am
very glad there there is so
many that wants them but
I dont think there is any
use in my sending them
because I think we will all
be home in a month. or two
any way. I think the third
regiment will be disbanded
right off that is the talk
now. you wanted to know what
kind of horses we had I will
try and tell you as near as
I can. this pen is such a poor
one I cant hardly read my own
writing. my horse is about
the size of old pim his color
is brown with a white stripe
in his face he is an awful
good horse I have only one fault
to find that is he kicks the
other horses in the stable he
is gently evry other way I would
not give him for any of the rest
that is of our boys. Ira has got
a black horse not quite so large
as mine has one or two white
feet & white nose, I take off
his hide and throw him to
the crows there is lots of them
around here. Hank French has
got a bay horse with white
nose and feet it is a good
horse he traded with Frank &
him. Frank has a dark brown
horse & tries to run away every
day. Dave has got a small boy
horse. Dave has got a small bay
horse. Chans horse is a black
horse it is a young horse &
dont know nothing you cant
get in four rods of his head with
out making him jump all
over the stable. there is on
thing more about my horse
that is he is bob tail. as Frank
said said I looked like a
Captain the other night when
we were coming up from the
city he was rideing in the
rear rank he said he never
liked my horse before untill
that night. I havent got any
of those pictures of the camp
ground now to send to describe
as quarters, our quarters are in
the lower end of the buildings
on the right hand side of
the picture that building that
crossways of the parade grounds is
the guard house and that large
building is the head quarters.
I guess I have told some where
near the thing
about my wanting any thing
such as gloves or stocking I
have enough at present I had
a twenty shilling gold stole
out of my pocket one night
while I was asleep. you cant
get a picture taken here
any less than 50 cents done up
like those we sent to Mr. Marvin
there is no pennys here nor any
three cent pieces evry thing is
five cent. you cant get a three
cent postage stamp for 3 cents
nor any thing else. tell Deal
when I write a letter home I
as much for as any and that
I had not forgotten her either
it has been so hot here to
day a fellow would sweat stan
ding still we had a little
snow here a few days ago and
the people said they hadent
had such weather before in
a good many years. I was in
such a hurry that I commenced
on the wrong side of this sheet
my horse suits me first rate
and so does the rest of the boys
say they are suited,
if you and Mr Wallerman do
come out here you will see
quite a sight Miss Robinson
husband is here in the 3
rd
Regiment Mr Martin. give my
love to them & Eack & Murry
and also to jack and the rest
of the boys as for our having
good boots we dont have any
we have got good shoes so you
need not send any I guess
I shall have to close my
letter by bidding you good
bye. we draw our land evry day
when it is muddy weather
on our boots Good bye
Yours Truly
Charles H. Potter
