Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/stewart-harvey-d/
Regiment: 16th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Camp near Falmouth, VA
May 27th, 1863
Dear Cousin,
Mary Jane
I seat my self with the greatest of pleasure this pleasant
Wednesday morning with my pen in hand to pen a few lines to you to
inform you that I am a live yet and well. And also to inform you that I
received your kind and most interesting letter and it reached me in good
health and fine spirits. And I was very happy indeed to hear that you and
the rest of the family and friends were all enjoying the same comforts
and blessings of life upon this earth of wo and sorrow. And I was very
happy to hear that you had heard from my brother Charles and that he
was well and that he has like it pretty well so fare. And also to hear
that cousin Turner Shaw and cousin John Shelter was well. And
furthermore to inform you that I received a letter from my Brother
Mandso and he stated that he was well and that Father was enjoying
good health yet in the world.
Well now cousin Mary Jane as for war news I think that you are
about as well posted as my self. There fore I think that it would not be
of mutual interest to you to have me write much about it, or about the
battle for I think that you have red. The particulars of the battle that
we have had lately had on the Rappahanack River. Although I will inform
you that I was in the field of battle and I came out all wright, safe and
sound. And we also whipped the rebels and badly too. Our Army whipped
them just as bad this time as they us last winter at Fredericksburg.
And I think a gridel worse if anything. And further more I will let you
know that we have moved camp since I wrote to you last. We have got a
very pleasent camp now. We have got to drill a gridel and it is very
warm here now. But the army is in good courage and fine spirits. And I
think that we shall soon see another fight before the fourth of July
next, if I ain’t sadly mistaken.
Also I will inform you that I have not yet had a letter from any
of the boys down south. Although I still life in hope of hearing from
them yet. Well now cousin Mary Jane I think that I have written pretty
much all the interesting news that I have to write about this time.
Therefore you shall have to excuse a short letter and poor news. You
may write something of more interesting. And I also hope that you will
write to me just as often and as soon as you can and I will do the same
by you in return. Now as this leaves me in good health and fine spirits. I
hope and trust that it will reach you and all the rest of the family and
friends and acquaintences in Wisconsin. You will also please to expect
of my kind wishes and love and peace to give the same to all the rest of
the inquiring friends. So no more at present. Good bye and fare you well
this time.
From your affectionate cousin
Ever more, Harvey D. Stewart
To his dear cousin Mary Jane Waldress
Please address your letters as usual
Mr. Harvey D. Stewart
Co. A Capt. Swan
16
th Michigan Vol Regiment
1
st Division 5
th Army Corps
Washington DC
