Army of the Potomac October 7th 1863 My Own Dear Wife. Loved Mary. I have not written you in nearly a week. Sunday was cold after the sun went down and I was going to write next morning. Morning camp and it took me till late last night to build my house
Clark, Gardner B. – October 1, 1863
Army of the Potomac Oct 1st 1863 My Mary. My Dear Darling Wife. If is not of “one year ago to night” but of one short month ago to night that I am thinking
Clark, Gardner B. – September 26, 1863
Berlin Vermont. September 26th 1863. My Own Husband Love One. Mother came up here with me Thursday and stayed all night. I cannot say I like to stay here as well as I do at Fathers or at Roxbury. it is so much more lonesome. I know the folks are all glad to have me here and do all they can to make my stay pleasant. but then it is so still and quiet. there is nothing to keep me from thinking, thinking all of the time & my thoughts will first fly to him who is dearer them all others.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 21, 1863
Culpepper Virginia Sept. 21st 1863 My Own Sweet Wife. To day has been one of unusual excitement to me. I will tell you briefly the cause. Under an order from the War Department all soldiers now in the field who have served at least nine months that choose to can re-enlist for three years from date, and receive, upon muster into service, twenty seven dollars
Clark, Gardner B. – September 18, 1863
Moretown Vermont Sept. 18th 1863. My Dearly Loved Husband. Yours of the 10th came last night for which I am thankfull as I always am to receive your letters. I hope your bunk is a good one and am glad it is wide enough for two for it is best to be prepared for any thing that may happen. no “I cant see it.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 17, 1863
Culpepper V.a. Sept. 17th 1863 My Own Darling Wife. Around me tonight burn brightly the bivouac fires of the Army of the Potomac. The heavy and monotonous rumble of transports and artillery. the hard and somewhat discordant notes of the bugle mingled with the martial strains of here and there a band serenading some General.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 10, 1863
Sept. 10th 1863 My Own Darling Wife. To day I have been building me a bunk and I have built it so wide the boys have been joking me about it. they say it is for two and you are coming down here. “do you see it.” I confess I cannot hardly yet.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 6, 1863
Moretown Vermont Sept. 6th 1863 My Dear Gardner. I have not known what to do with myself all this long day and am glad it is nearly gone. how I wish I know where you was to night and what doing I would not care if I could step in and see you a few moments if not longer. perhaps you would not like to see your little wife a bit, but I guess I know better.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 4, 1863
Sept. 4th 1863 My Own Wife. Loved One. Home again. and with those who to judge of their actions are rejoiced to see me. and I am sure I was pleased to see their old familiar faces. Last night at ten I came into camp and although Co “C” was abed as a good soldier should be I did not sleep until I had received a friendly and hearty grasp of the hand from all
Clark, Gardner B. – July 14, 1863
Grand Rapids Mich July 14th 1863 My Mary. You are a pretty young lady. you are. to run away just as I was coming to see you. I shall punish you severely. I came in on the morning train this A.M. wounded.
Clark, Gardner B. – July 8, 1863
Grand Rapids. July 8th 1863 Dear Mary I suppose what you want to know most of all is if we have got a letter for you from Gardner. well yes I have got one that I received yesterday. he was one mile from the Pennsylvania line. they were after Lee and they were expecting to have a hard fight. and that they have had and the report is that they have drove the rebels from Pennsylvania and they are following them up.
Clark, Gardner B. – July 2, 1863
Sparta Centre July Dear Mary: I believe the last time that I saw you I promised to write to you. That soldier has come home and he has promised to write with me. He has been discharged and has come home now to stay. I suppose you are acquainted with Mary Swinson. I saw her a few days ago. Poor Mary! I pity her so; She takes her soldiers death very hard.
Clark, Gardner B. – June 15, 1863
Mechanicsville Va. June 15th 1863 My Dear Mary. A week has gone by since I took my pen to write you. Not so much for the want of time. for we only moved four times last week, but I can think of nothing interesting. I never had more ideas than I wanted and now half the time I have none.
Clark, Gardner B. – June 3, 1863
Camp Near Stoneman Station June 3d 1863 My Own Mary. I have not much to write but it has been several days since I have done so. In that time I have received two from you. And so you and Annie must needs quarrel about so small a matter. her Captain may be the best of “his race.” but ‘twould be one of the strangest freaks of nature should he. =on so short an acquaintance= be so deeply infatuated as to forget all others and cherish her memory
Clark, Gardner B. – May 26, 1863
Camp Near Stonemans Station May 26th 1863 My Mary. I hardly know what to write to my darling to day. there was a letter your due some time ago but I had nothing to say. The news from Vicksburg is highly interesting but may turn out like “Our” capture of Richmond in our late raid. There is an effort being made to take our Michigan of the First and Second Regts. of US.SS. to the state and fill them up with conscripts and if possible make a Michigan Regt. of them.
Clark, Gardner B. – May 19, 1863
Camp of the 1st Regt US.SS. Army of the Potomac May 19th 1863 My Mary. Yours of the 9th I received yesterday. You should have had a letter from me about that time as I wrote you as soon as possible after the battles. I was sure I would get another from you to day but it will come to-morrow certain.
Clark, Gardner B. – May 14, 1863
Army of the Potomac May 14th 1863 My Loved Mary, The smoke of conflict has nearly cleared away and one can see = if any there is to see = the results of the latest movement of the Army of the Potomac. As one of its fruits the greatest of our foes. = And I do not hesitate to say the greatest General of our day has paid the tribute of his life to the cause he served. Stonewall Jackson is no more for this world, only as he lives in the memory of his Country men Brave and true the “Noblest “Traitor.” of them all.”
Sheldon, George W. – May 10, 1863
Stoneman’s Siding Virginia May 10th 1863 Dear Father, Another great battle has been fought without a decisive result. Gory know the particulars better than I can describe them. Our whole army fought well except the 11th Corps which being surprised disgraceful broke and fled. This was the victory we might have obtained torn from our grasp by fate.
Clark, Gardner B. – May 6, 1863
Army of the Potomac May 6th 1863 My Own Dear Mary. Jenny: Once more in the deadly conflict we have me our foes and dearly have we paid the penalty of the son of man waring against his Brother man. Many of my brave comrades have laid their lives upon the altar of their countrys good. Foremost on the list stands my more than Brother Brewer. By my side he fell. Struck with instantaneous death.
Clark, Gardner B. – May 2, 1863
Near Yorktown May 2nd 1863 My Own Mary. Last night at nine oclock as I came in from picket. another of your loved messages was awaiting my [ ? ]. That with cold water and hard “tac.” made me a good supper and I slept soundly- too soundly for dreams- upon it. Whether it is hard work or the excitement consequent upon shooting men. or some other cause I am unable to say, but I take notice I never slept better in my life.
Clark, Gardner B. – March 20, 1863
Camp Near Falmouth V.A. March 24th 1863 My Own Mary. Yours of Mar. 11th I have just received. I thank you for that letter with all the strength of a strong heart. I believe it has renewed or increased my love for you. I know not how it could have been increased for I loved you well and truly this many a long month. But something in that letter gave me new heart.
Clark, Gardner B. – March 16, 1863
Camp of Instruction First Reg. U.S.S.S. Washington March 16th 1863 My Own Loved Mary: Another 16th of the month has come. as I was back to night over the events that have taken place since then. and the scences of that parting has nought but sadness fills my heart. in this I do not mean the Country at large but my own prospects
Clark, Gardner B. – March 9, 1863
Camp near Stonemans Station V.A. Army of the Potomac March 9th 1563 My Loved Mary Yours of the 28th ult. came to hand last eve as did that box with its contents all safe many thanks for the same. I have written Lieut. Brewer says all the time for four days. but not quite so bad as that. to-night I am lonesome and lonely. I beleive Brewers feeling so bad. affects me.
Clark, Gardner B. – February 27, 1863
Army of the Potomac Feby. 27th 1863 My Loved Mary I have not written you this week because with Brewer I have been making out Pay Rolls. and two days ago he was ordered out on Picket. So I have had to finish them alone.