Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/barker-george-h/
Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp near the Battle Field Apr. 16th, 1861
My dear Mary
I am seated on a knapsack and try-
-ing to write a few words to my
Sweetheart dear Creature
& excellent
Wife. You see
Mary I am learning a new style
of writing or rather I indulge in the use of a variety princip-
-ally useing the “jog hands? with now and then a sprinkling of the square
hands with now and then a spicing of the “Old fashioned round hands,,
Dear One I do not get very smart yet I I
am quite nervous and in fact can hardly write at all
but you know
Dear that I will write as often as I can if
it is only a few words and
dear Mary you want me to
write everything just as it is, respecting my health,, I that
when I wrote last that in a day or two I would be all sound
but it seems that I was wrong,, that long march, with my
“spell” of headache & slight fever, seemed to much for
me and is hard to shake off. But
Mary I have got some
medicine of Dr D. Camp and of comserve have confidence
in his ability & I hope I may write in a day or two that I am
much better. I hope this fel will find all of you well.
You must not worry
dear one about me ofr I have got Boys
that will care for me & the Captain is very kind to me.
Dear Mary I would like to write more but I presume you
do not look for long letter when I fell so unwell.
Best respects to Mother & James &
dear Mary you know
what to do to little Emma for Papa.
How I love you
Mary Dear Good Bye
Ever [ ? ], & loving husbund Geo H. Barker
[On Envelope:]
Mrs George H. Barker
Grand Rapids
Mich
