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https://micivilwar.com/authors/burge-caroden-s/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Hospital 2nd Mich.
Feb 27th 1862
Dear Mother:
Don’t be al-
armed when you see I am
in the hospital. Last
Tuesday the reg. was called
our suddenly on a recon-
noisance. We marched very
rapidly about through awful mud three miles,
making us very warm, & were
then halted in a cold
mind. We remained where
we were halted about
four hours. Then we were
marched back to camp.
Mich 3d & maine 7
th
went some 8 or 10 miles.
About 2 next morn I
was taken with cholic
not very severe Next morn
the Dr. gave me a dose
of salts & two Dover’s powders
The pain gradually left
me till at 9. P.M., having
eaten a dish of scaled milk
well peppered I felt quite
easy & bunked with fair
prospects of a good nights rest
about 4 next morn I was
attacked with pleurisy in
my right side. I lay in
my bunk however till just
before daylight, when I was
forced to get up. I found
to my surprise that I could
not stand erect & could
hardly move. I went with
the sick to the Dr. at
8 A.M. & the Dr. thought
best to put me in here.
They applied a mustard
plaster to my side at
once This eased the
pain soon but my side
is yet so sore that I
can hardly move.
It does not trouble
me when I lie still
The Dr. says I will be
around soon. I receive
the best of care. The brig-
ade is under marching
orders with four days ra-
tions & a hundred rounds
of cartridges, – for Bull
Run I suppose. No retreat
this time. All I fear
is that I shall not
be able to go with the
boys. I would not be
left behind for anything.
We expect to be in
Richmond in six
weeks, with God’s bless-
ing. I send you a
clipper to day.
The box came yesterday.
As I am unable to do jus-
tice to its contents at present
I have put it in Sergt.
Sane’s care. I hope soon
to be able to take a look
into at its contents & share
with my companions. Do
not be troubled, but leave
it with Him.
Your son
Caroden
[Two newspaper clippings included with letter: list of sick and wounded and a remedy for dysentery and diarrhea.]
