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Regiment: 7th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, George Thomas, William T. Sherman
Hd Qrs 7th Mich Cav
December 24th 1864
My dear folk at home.
Last night came the welcome
letter from home – Loraines of Dec
the 17th. I was just getting
to go to bed when – I heard
in the clear cold night air Stew and
Shafer. a letter for you. “It is just
six days since the Cav left on the raw
and haven’t heard a word from them
expect them back in four days – The
weather has been extremely cold – the
past five days – it has snowed and
blowed nearly all the time – the snow
though isnt but about four inches deep
but it bears up a horses weight
Tomorrow is Merry Christmas, but with
us it will be in common with other
days the same stern duties to perform
he must picket against our enemy
and if he pickes upon us – we
must fight him – if we remain un-
disturbed – we shall drink our coffee
and eat our beef and bread I
love a
Merry Christmas – such a one
as of old plumb puddings fun +c
the most of my time is occupied at
present – in the discharge of
my duties
as
Surgeon and
Steward. We have but
56 men in camp – and half of them are
bootless – and the other half complain of being
sick – I had them all at my
sick call
this morning – I had to examine them
all very carefully – because we are called
[ ? ] for a large picket detail and other
duty. Have been fixing up my house
some to day – I got a number of boords
the other day – and to day erected shelves
hung the door and made a bunck
I wish that when the Cav returns
we might be allowed to either remain
quiet or
go home – Tis
rough to cam
paign it all winter – as frozen nozes and
toes – will plainly show –
Gen’l Thomas
has been doing big things –
Sherman do
But when will this war end?
I see that the President has made
another call for 300,000 more men
It seems to me that theis is the
last
call, but I have “left off” prophesying
and take things as they come along
When you see
RC Luce tell him
that
Dick Marshall is a getting along
quite well –
Dick has been sick a little
but is getting along first rate now
“Dick” used to be a
dray man in the R
apiels – We have him in the
Panur Corps
“Dick”
[ ? ] me
my word – now a days
is a handy man to have around
I always go in for those
handy fellows
Ill do them a little kindness in
my
way – and I am most always sure
to get well paid for it – “Dick” thinks
I saved his life –
with a few cough powders
And now he will do any thing
for me – Well you will have a
good time tomorrow – at any rate
I hope so – My health continues
most excellent – Will you miss the
picture this time? I havent had time
to make one – this week – will have
one for the next if nothing happens
I think the weather will moderate
in a couple or three days.
It is now about 4 – P.M. the
days dont seem two hours long
and each day wears away one
from that 3.65 – But I ought not
to grumble for I can go to bed
now evry night – and sleep well
and am not obliged to be out in
the cold but very little = Picket and
frozen toes that would be horrible
Well good night. As “Dick” has
got me some good hickory night wood
wouldnt it be fare to give him
a “smile” of fr
[ ? ] I think so
and he shall have some –
“I’ll do him much good” as Dr
[ ? ]
used to say – Again Good night and
a Happy New Year to you all
I will write you again Soon –
and you must do the same
Bud
