Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/rigden-george-w/
Regiment: 18th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis
Camp Granger
Huntsville Ala May 16nd 1865
Respected Friend Almeda
So little time has elapsed Since
I received your kind letter I
Should of ansered it before but
we were out on Raid 7 days
Marching through Swamps over
Mountans and Valies We had a
hard time although We had a good
time we Lay in ambush 3 days
Wating to Captured Some bushwackers
We Succeeded in captureing 2 of them
their Names Were as follows Captan
Berry Lt Robins + Bradshaw thay
all belonged to the same gang thay
Were condemned by their neighboring
Citicens and We tied them to trees and
Shot them We captured a number of
Others but they belonged to Organized
forces in the rebel army So we used
them as prisoners of War a greater part
of them took the Oath and were paroled
the Rebel Soldiers are coming in at
this post in every direction and they
all Seam to be tired of the War
Almeida I thank you very kindly for
those things you Sent to me thay tasted so
good I believe I shall call on you When
I git home to git Something good to
eat So I have told you my Object and
also to come to git a Interduction to that
Lady Almeda While we were on the raid
We passed through a little Town called
New Market there were lots of prety Girls
there but they all diped as they call it
that is chaw the end of a stick diped
in snuff if it had not been for that
I shold of pitched in but I cant go
the dip Almeda Charly Mc Neil
denies the Charges prefered against him
I did not tell him Who told me he
sayed we had a good time I
wold like One of Mr Rimdells photographs
and One of yours and Ada and Teny
to if you have one to spare Almeda
how does that little fish git a long eny
way I wish you cold git a picture of
hur but never mind as she is the right
Stripe I don’t believing in Sending pictures
to stangers neither does she but as the
War is Over I am in hopes to be home
Soon We got the news on Sunday Night
that Jef Davis and Staff Was captured by
the 4 Mich Cavelry So I think the
Suthern Confedercy is gon up or down
Almeda you kneed not look for me to
bring home a Suthern Girl for I shant
do it I often think of what Tryphenie
Said about your butter at the party
those Were pleasant days but for the past
2 years and 8 months it as not be so pleasant
but the time is not far distant When
We Shall all be home in piece With the
Stars and Stripes Waring through out the land
Almeda the Death of Father
Abraham caused many to weep but he
done the good Work and now is gone
home to Rest tell Ada I will Soon
answer her letter in person Soon Almeda
dont let Miss Trip Critacise this letter
to close as She is a School marm and Will
Make fun of it My best Wishes to Miss
Trip tell her to look Over the past My
best Wishes to Miss Amelia Almeda the
boys are all well and Wish to be remembered
to you all Miss Frank not excepted
my folks are all Well and doing well I
will close hoping this may find you all
Well I remain as ever your Friend
Geo W. Rigden
Ada you must be a good girl and keep
your nose clean and mind your School
Mom I am coming home to hear you read
Soon Ada do you and Tiny ever go fishing
now these few lines are to Ada
From George
