Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/vanvalkenburgh-george-w/
Regiment: 23rd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Feb. 2nd, 1864
Dear wife Once more I take my in hand
to inform you that I am well but feel
quite alone and sad when I think of home
and think how long it has been since I
have had any news from there. I do not know
whether you get the letters I write or not but
there is one thing certain. I have not got any from
you I don’t blame you for I think you write
[three lines faded, illegible]
for I am anxious for you all and if
this reaches you I hope it will find you all
well Our brigade went out on a little scout
yesterday to see what they could find in the
shape of rebs but they had to come back without
finding our much for the rebs have fallen
back. Their strong force within 25 or 30 miles
of us Our brigade lays in the front and our
pickets from the out posts. it is very exciting
to witness an engagement fear is all
vanished as soon as the roar of the guns begins
It is a grand sight to behold although it is
attended with some little danger but that does
not make it any the less exiting it was a
hard blow for our company though when the
rebs charged on our pickets for we lost 7 or our
best men six was taken and one
mortally wounded he died the next morning
he was shot three times and there was all holes
in his clothes that did not
[ ? ] he was a good man and
his lose is that of the company as well I do not
know whether I told you that Hathaway was in
the hosp or not but he is in the hospital in Knoxville
there is nothing there now that indicates any
movement of the enemy or of our own troops
at the present but we cannot tell as to that
for when the soldier goes to bed at night
he has no assurance that he can sleep
until morning for he knows not what minute
he will be caled out especially when he is
lying in the front as we are at the present
Em you must write often I will get the letter
after awhile. Give my love to the Dr. and wife
this is from your true and ever loving husband
George Van
