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Regiment: 3rd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Fair Oaks, Virginia; Seven Pines, Virginia
Historical Figures:
No 49
Camp near fair oaks
Sunday June the 8 1862,
My Own Dear Henrietta,
I must write you a few
line to day, nothing particular has transpired
since I last wrote. we were startled this morning
by hearing musketry to the front, it did not
last long. our brigade was under arms awaiting
orders. there was some artilery fireing. I have
since learned that a rebel scouting party attack
=ed our pickets + tried to drive them in but
were republed. our loss was eight wounded + two
killed. I had exspected to hear from our
Chaplin but what use is it for us to
think on expect any thing. but rough life,
this we are sure of. as long as we are in the
service. I hear cannonadeing now occasionly to the front
this forenoon we struck tents + were on the move
some where, went to the rail road. half a mile off
then up that nearly a mile. + prepared to
encamp, but in this we were disappointed. for
we were ordered back on the railroad to our
starting point + here we encamped. have just
got our tents pitched. it look fair for a rain
storm, when it rains here, it rains for certain
no half way work about it. a person had as well
fall into a lake as to be out in one of these
rain storms. as to getting wet is concerned,
Captain has been busy, writeing to the Friends
of our boys who were killed in the battle of the
31st. it was a painfull well as a tedious job
we got a mail this morning. all I got was a
paper the Herald + it has just come in again
I have two papers + a letter from you (I
recon) it is post marked Lyons May the 31. the day
of our battle. I will now
[ ? ] + see what
it contains. I have just perused you letter
it was of the 30th, yes a little more than
a year has elapsed since I saw you. it has been
longer than I anticipated. at that time how
uncertain, it is to make a calculations for the future.
our situation since we left Alexandria has
been an unpleasant one. + it tells some on
our feelings. but we are in hopes to get
to Richmond soon + then we shall have eaiser
times. I long to be home + see my firneds as
must, as they do to have me come. + I hope the
time is not for distante when I shall be able
to do so, but I must be patient + a bide
my time. I suppose ou have before this seen
the detailed account of the battle of Saturday the
thirty first May anout report since I last
wrote but the loss of our kept in killed
one hundred + thirty wounded one hundred +
twenty four missing fifteen total of one hundred +
sixty nine one more fight like this + there
would be nothing left of us. I hope we shall not
see any thing like it again. It seems some
like home. to see the cars running. Gen Prin (the
great Spanish Gen’l who has been figure
ing in Mexico) has just passed here. I should
liked very much to have seen him. the weather
now is very warm. corn is ready for hoeing
wheat is heading out. I have been sorry
that I could not have given you more of
a description of our late engagements but
our being deprived of writing material + besid
=es was worn out. so that I have not been
in a mood for it, + it will have to pass
with what you can get from the papers
untill I return then I can talk night + day
till you are all tired out + tell me to stop
well Henrietta I have part finished my supper
although not cooked by a Lady’s hand, or of the
finest quality nor served in an elegant a style
as I have seen. yet it relished well + I
was satisfied. you need not fear of my ever
getting tired of reading your letters but to the
contrary. I wish they would come every day
they are welcome little messengers + reminds
one that they are not forgotto by loved one at
home. they are cheering aids to us in the many
lonesome hours we are abliged to
[ ? ] here.
I tell you + to hold conmerse with those we
have not seen for years it makes time fly
[ ? ]
to think that each mail bring some good
tidings from friends at home
I have been called away several times but will now
bring this to a close. my bible is in my Satchel
on the other side the Chickahorning, + cannot give
you any test of hope you will have a pleasant
visit in Lebonan. I guess there is no danger
of your going over the bay like Mrs. _anger
=don remember me to all your people. Mother
more particularly write as often as you can
with love to you [ ? ] bid you
To Henrietta good bye, + believe me ever yours
Fred
PS I know you will excuse poor
writing. I take but little pains, in the
quality as you well know
