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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, Joseph Hooker, Samuel P. Heintzelman
Camp Michigan Fairfax Co Virginia
March 1st 1862
My Dear Parents
Once more I have the privelages of
addressing you. Since writing my last we have
been unusualy buisy. Measles have continued to
increase and have assumed an alarming
[ ? ]
of
[ ? ] co, 16 men have died in the last 30 days
three horse died to day. many are in the hospital. the
cases all assume a malignant type as soon as the
eruption begins to fade. Gunn + myself have the
[ ? ]
all of the time, and it is enough to make one
ful blue, to see a disease carrying off the men, +
see it completely baffer all medical skill
My health is good, I never enjoyed better than at
the present, I weigh the most I ever did
Now for the news. this “army of the Potomoc” is just
on the eave of an advance. it will surely be
made within the next two days. I think it will
come off on the first of next week. We are ordered
to keep two days rations constantly on hand. Shall move
without tents. We are to take one hospital tent +
a load of surgical supplies. There is an order
to detail on Asst Surgeon from this Brigade to remain
in charge of the four Hospitals (hope + pray that it
may not be me.) I am sorry the best I know
how to get it put on to me if the others, and trust that
I may succeede. Our picket lines have been moored
up two or three miles and Prof Lowe has been up
[ ? ]
his bullom to view the position + nooks of the enemy we
expect the first fight at the
[ ? ] You mad not
look for any more “Bull Run affairs” for we shall go to
Richmond before we stop. I must stop writing for
it is time that I was in bed, us I have to be up
early in the morning
Mch 3rd I again siege a little time and will
try and finish this letter, three or four more have
died since I wrote the first of this letter, the vernlance
of the disease seems to be
[ ? ]. Yesterday we
recurid an order to report all if our sick
[ ? ]
that would have to be left + that they would be sent
to General Hospital. the preparatory steps are still
going on. Prof Lowe + Gen Heintzelman went up in a
ballon at Proick Church, quite a number of large
[ ? ] went down the river yesterday to Gen
Hookers Division. The think gets closes at hand,
all, soldiers are prohibited from writing home to any one
that is, the mail is detained, all reports are thus
cut off. I am obliged to send this to Washington
by Dr Gunn + have it mailed from there,
Gen Banks has crossed the river above.
We shall move down the river + to the left of
Mem
[ ? ] probably in Fredericksburgh, Burnside will
threater Norfolk + Richmond + we will enjoy
then at their strong hold, I prophesy a bloody fight
if they make a stand, which they most
[ ? ] will,
We are all just as buisy as any one can be, just think
of prescribing for 100 men, evry day of our life + keeping
a record of all we does, Ambulances have to be
looked at + horses fed, &c, +c
I five or six days I think we shall be off
I leave my trunk and extra baggage in Alexandria or
Washington, you remember what kinds of a one it is
block with my name on the end. My watch I
shall take with me, I
[ ? ] what $25 in camp,
Pay is doneme for the government for the 1st of Jay
last, and own a horse + saddle clear.
I just mention these facts so if evry thing should turn
up you would know how to look for them, My pay is
$129.83, pr. month, less $8, for feeding my horse,
I feel in good spirits + will write you again
in a few days. you must give my love to all
tell my sister to remember + write to me, I design if
any accident should happen, to devote my litte means to
giving her a good education. I will endeavor to
[ ? ]
letters in my trunk replaining what I now done,
To my Father, if i never return, remember that I fall
in a glorious cause, and am ready if necessary,
take care of the family. Mother, I know not what
to say, May God bless you + keep you all.
From Your Son
Robert
P.S.
I have $100, in the Bank at Hillsdale
RH
