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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
[Image of U.S. Capitol] Washington D.C. Sept. 27th/61
Dear Mary;
U.S. Capitol.
I should rather have dated
this some where in Virginia if I only knew where I only
know that we are near the chain Bridge. we crossed the river
last Saturday laid out in the rain that night. got wet clean
through and back again. dried off the next day however and
marched two miles and pitched our tents but did not have
enough. so I took my blanket and had a first rate good
sleep on old Mother Earth. Monday morning went out on
Picket with twenty of our Co. came back last night got two letters from some
body in Mich. that I hope to have some jolly good times
with by and by, by the way I have received all your
letters they came two at a time your letters will all come
to me whereever I am.
I had a jolly good time on Pickey did’nt get
a shot at any of them seceders and did’nt see any untill
just as we were coming back. one of our company
went out with me past our lines and nearly to the
rebels we saw two about sixty rods away and I was
going to shoot at one of them but the fellow that was
with me would not let me for we were pretty close to
their pickets. I’ll have a shot soon and when I do I’ll
write you. I mean to take a prisoner the first thing.
They dont allow us to go out side our lines but when
we go they are very glad to know what we see.
I dont want to say any thing against my old neighbors
and acquaintances. and I presume the rest of the company
do not. but I never was thought half as much of as I
have good reasons for thinking I have been for the
past week. but because I say I. I do not mean myself
only as one of Berdans Sharpshooters and particularly the
Michigan company every where we go since we crossed
the river we get the first and best where we was on
picket guard they would not let watch nights but we had
got to sleep so we could have our eyes open in the day
time. I had a gay old supper the other night. fried chicken
and home made bread with nice butter the first butter
I have seen since we left Weehawken the next morn-
ing had some nice fresh secession pork. I find
butchering to be a good trade on the sacred soil
as long as they put me on Picket duty I shall not starve
nor go hungry long at a time.
I think Maria laid it pretty strong but never mind
it will be made night as soon as I get this little
difficulty with the seceders settled.
Of course I wish Ed all manner of fed officer
as I would all my friends. but when he has seen what it
to lack
[ ? ] good officers he will want the best men for
the place. if I have good luck that is the luck to live
through this war. and hard labor
will and attention. to day
will accomplish any thing. I will not come out a private
I dont know when I shall get time to write to the
girls. give them my respects (best ones mind)
With much love
Truly Yours Gardner B. Clark
I found cousin Den Brigham the other day
in the
[ ? ] Third he has been out here two or three months
it does not agree with him first rate he is not
very healthy. he has been in two skirmishes.
About five thousand of our troops with the New Hamp-
shire
She and all but twenty of the Mich. Co. S.S. that were
on picket went out on a foraging expedition and
captured a lot of horses cattle and sheep hay and grain
from the rebels. one of our co. was inqised by
the accidental discharge of on of our rifles. which
was the only shot our co. fired.
Write as often as possible
Good Bye. Gardner
Thank you for the stamps though I did not really
need them.
[On Envelope:]
Unite! Unite! Columbia’s Sons Unite,
And hurl on our foes the tempest they provoke,
The fight is right, then raise your weapons bright,
And Traitors all shall tremble at the stroke!
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450) Michigan
