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Regiment: 1st Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, Joseph K. F. Mansfield
Camp Butler
Newport News Va May 4th 1862
My Dear Florence
Your letter came yesterday + I only de-
-layed answering because I was to negligent to write last night-
I will first give you a few war items. Yesterday P.M. We
heard firing in the direction of Yorktown + by sun-
-set it was quite rapid. In the evening we heard
different kinds of reports from any before. The
ground secured to tremble under them +
the reports were fragment, suffering from
a billions attack I slept but little last night.
All night the cannonading continued at mid-
night it was terrible + I am sure I heard
musketry. The firing continued till day-
break +
[ ? ] quite suddenly. Our thoughts
were drawn from the great action which we
think must have taken place by a little
[ ? ]
near us. A vessel –rebel– loaded with
coal coming down the James river, got aground
about a mile + ½ above our camp, as soon
as twas light an oar boat put out from
one side ran alongside the rebel vessel +
set it on fire –tis burning yet– While we
were talking of the bold action for the vessel
was very near the other shore rumors reached
camp that Yorktown was taken by our forces.
No sooner did we hear the rumors than a trio
of us started for Gen Mansfulies Hd. Qrs. + found
an orderly putting up a bulletin which said
“Yorktown is ours, no particulars given”. Since
then we learn that the place
[ ? ]
I hope the rumor is not true for we hear that
they have another liar of fortifications beyond.
At the least we can say that Yorktown is taken
+ I will make bold to add that the loss of
life is is comparatively little nothing to what
we expected. I do begin to think that this
rebellion is approaching its end + that very fast.
Unless great reverses come upon us
[ ? ] another
autumn we can all be safe in our
homes. I am sure the most of us
will not regret the change. I sometimes
think that I do wrong in wishing our Reg.
in more active service. That we could
be before the enemy but still I am
not satisfied to act a guard. To stand
quietly holding the enemy “in check” is not
the kind of warfare but duited to young
soldiers. To be sure tis an exposed situation
we are now occupying + we are liable at
any time to be “shelled” but we would
rather be where we can use our rifles
I sent my last to M+M, I suppose you found
it then when you arrived. I had a long
letter from Sarah last week. The first I
had recd in a long time. She had last all
train of me + only found where to address me
through you. I have written his three times
since here in Va. Why I continue to receive
so many good letters from you is almost a matter of sur-
-prise to me. You do not cannot have any idea of the
many things that interfere with ones writing in
the army. I am sometimes greatly
[ ? ] to
throw aside my pen forms in the Army,
but as soon as I reason upon the matter
[ ? ] that would be very foolish unsoldier
[ ? ]
+ not pretty at all. I am sure you will make
all allowances for my disconnected jumbles.
I had written this for when interrupted by Albert with
the cry of “Dinner
[ ? ]” After dinner of course I
was expected to take a stroll in the beach. While there
we had the satisfaction? of lieing the Merrimae
come out + we soon often received the order
to have our men store their knapsacks + be
ready to move. That was at 2 oclock but
the Merrimae does not choose to come
nearer + I think we will sleep content
in our camp tonight. For about an hour
Tis now about 5 P.M. There has been heard
very heavy firing to the N.W. it seems farther
away then that of last night it may be
that we are having a bloody engagement.
A rebel steams has laid above our
camp some 4 miles all day. We
have a good view of the Rebel
fortifications on the other side of
the river. I counted no less
than 5 rebel flags yesterday. Let
them move this time is but brief.
Our Col. is promoted to a Brig Gen-
ship + was ordered to report to Gen
Wool this P.M. We lose a good
officer but have a competent Lieut
Col. to fill his place.
How I wish that we could be allowed
to go where we can do something.
I feel quite confident that we
will move from here before the
week closes. Whether we follow up the
army of the Potomac or be allowed
to cross the James + strike for our-
selves. I cannot tell. Norfolk
must fall + unless the forces
here are allowed to take it Burnside will
Contrary to my usual habit I take a 2nd sheet.
When writing the last line of the last Chaplain
Edwards came to my tent + wished me to give
him extracts + dates from my diary as he had
neglected to fill out his. After we had
finished we had a “long talk” He is in a sad
state of mind. I wish you knew him. He is a
noble fellow + he last person in the world
that you would take for a Methodist Clergyman.
“Bobbie said he I shudder when I think that
“i am 27 years olf not married + with no
“prospects for it.” “I believe you had best
[ ? ]
“
[ ? ] your claims to the affections of that
“lady in N.Y.
[ ? ] in my favor” for
“I am sure I should like her very much
Why so Edward? I ask, “because you seem to
“be so happy + so act so differently from
“other young men who are perhaps great as
“deeply enamored. Why dont you ever
“give way to
[ ? ] fears for her con-
“-stancy +
[ ? ]” I ask him if he has
ever heard in the Reg. the expression that
anything improbably was “played out in the
three months service” “Then all such feelings
were played out years ago. Now I ask
is not such a conversation a quiet one to be
canned on by a minister of the gospel
+ an officer in U.S. Service? But I love to
be with him + not all the time do we talk
of each other + of ours. Our Col. thinks that
we will soon be out of the service + wagons
are
[ ? ] offered that we will see but one
more muster in the field.
You are the only one that I would dare
to write in this careless measure telling
just what comes to mind.
My Capt.
[ ? ] is still in the Hospital
at
[ ? ] is somewhat better but is very
weak.
You with me to see you again
in N.Y. I do not think it will be possible
if you go home this month. I cannot leave
my company now that Capt A. is ill.
I would be glad to would be glad to quit the army
now but I must not. I know that
you will five up seeing me when I say
that is soon as I am liberated I will
lose no time but will see you at the earliest
opportunity. I know your anxiety your trouble of
mind. Knowing that I am in a position so
dangerous to
[ ? ] + to morality but may hope
never fail you + may the day come quickly the
bright beautiful day of peace, which is already dawning.
There are rumors of an amnesty. Should it be
+ of any duration. I will use my
[ ? ] endeav-
ors to procure a leave of absence for all the time
that I can. But I build no hopes upon newspaper
rumors. Should the opportunity occur I will
[ ? ]
upon it. How does
[ ? ] look in the early strings.
How grand trouble be if we were together there in the
summer time. Why need you haste to the Garden State.
Cannot your Grandmother C. fill you place? Sarah
write me that she is at your house now.
For my part I cannot see why you r parents should
just now want your presence. After you have past a
winter of an exile in that frigid country. Why should
they recall you just as you are enjoying the spring time.
I do not blame them for wishing you back but you will
surely stop at Galen? I very much would like
good grammar that you to stop at my sisters Mrs. Par-
sons day that you will if you get real tired of
riding on the cars. You can rest then so nicely.
I do thank you for writing me such good, so kind
so sincere letters. I am sure that Anne –as for call her–
does not understand us nor can any others. I do
not try to analize my feelingsnow. I know that I am
very very happy + that you are all to me + I
am sure that you know me better than any one else
know my many faults + can overlook them
or help me to overcome them. I am sure that
you make all allowances for my careless manners
+ that you love me or you alone can love. Why
should I not be happy? Write me all about your
-self tell me all as though I weere with you
+ never forget to pray for
Your Will Byrns
Did you write Cousin Fanny? You
mentioned her news in your last.
Dont forget to remember me to
your mother. I love her almost
as well as you do.
The Merrimae + quite a rebel
fleet lay off Crany Island now.
If they come out tomorrow I
will give you the particulars.
[On Envelope:]
Miss Florence Clark
Care. C. B. Adams Esq.
Mount Morris
New York
Will Byrnes
No. 60
Newport News May 4” 1862
