Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/foreman-james-a/
Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, George B. McClellan, John Pope
Aug 24
Alexandria Va Aug 26
Dear Wife
I have had no opportunity of writing
to you in a long time nor received a letter from
you. I do not know when our mail will be
established again. you will have learned
[ ? ]
this that the whole of McClellan to any have
left the Peninsula are to form a junction
with Pape + Burnside on the shanadoah
we had some long weary marching and
banging about before we arrived at
this place we go on the train in a
few minutes for our destination
we left Harrisons Landing some
ten days ago and have been banging
around ever since and I am about
used up. + dear how heartily
sick I am of this war. I know
I can never stand it another
year away from you and Paul
and still were it not for you
I would desert in a minute
for a soldier is nothing but a
nigger yesterday when we were
comeing up the Potomac as we
passed Ft. Washington the band played
hall Collumbia and about a dozen
ladies were there and waved us
onward with there handkerchief
it might have enspirited some
but for my part I could not help
but cry, for we had been so long
away from everything that we
[ ? ]
realization that the sight of pleasant
homes and the smiling faces of women
affected me
[ ? ] how verry verry
lonesome and home sick I am this
morning it does seem that if I
could see you and Paul it would
be all the happiness I could ask
but alas when will that be kiss
him for me. there the cars are
ready and we must get on
and away. good bye Jim