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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, Daniel E. Sickles, Joseph Hooker, Mary Todd Lincoln
Camp Fairbanks, Va.
Apr. 13th, 1863
I believe I can write a pretty long letter today or between this & the time I sent it.
In the first place we expect to be paid in a few days as the pay master is in the
Brigade and will commence paying today.
We have had a visit from the President his wife & son. On the 8th inst. we were
reviewed by the President Gen. Hooker & Gen. Sickles the Grand Division formerly
commanded by Gen. Hooker was reviewed on that day. Mr. Lincoln looks a great deal
older than he did last summer his hair is greyer. He must had a great deal on his mind as
he would not grow old so fast. He has no whiskers now. I suppose is one thing that makes
him look worse he is the homeliest man I ever saw. I have heard folks say that all things
were possible but now I deny it. I saw that the Almighty would not make Lincolns mouth
any larger without setting his ears back.
On the 10th he (Lincoln) started for home, this Corps. was drawn up on the
“corduroy” road to cheer him. This road is about twenty feet wide. We were drawn up
without arms and opened rank about faced, so we all faced inward & about 20 feet apart
Mr. Lincoln & his wife rode in an open carriage. Their coming was noticed by the cheers
from the head of the column cheering, as he went through this regt. the Maj. rode along a
head of the carriage & gave the following orders, three cheers for the President, three for
Gen Hooker, three for Mrs. Lincoln, & three for the boy, they were given with a will. Mrs.
Lincoln is a very good looking woman, she is quite a large woman, she is I should think as
large as Mother is. The boy was about as large as Elisha was when I left home, he is a
smart looking boy, he was on horseback.
Elbridge has seen Gen. Hooker & he can tell you something how he looks if you
want to know. Gen. Sickles (the commander of this Corp) is a large man, he is a kind of a
surly looking chap & I could judge by his looks he could kill a man with a good heart as he
did Keyes a few years ago.
We have got our new camp ground fixed up pretty wise. If we get paid I shall
not send my money until I get some stamps either from home or else when I chance to run
across some which occurs once in a great while as an accident. They are now paying the
17th Maine. I guess I will not write any more now but will wait.
Apr. 14th, 1863
I will finish this letter this morning. We have got orders to be ready to march at 4
o’clock this P.M. We are to have three days rations in our haversacks & five in our
knapsacks including salt.
We are to carry 1 blanket and shelter tent, the rest of our clothing we are to turn in to
the Q.M.
No more, good bye
Yours in haste,
Luther Franklin
P.S. Rec’d your letter of the 1st on the 10th -L.F.
