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Regiment: 1st Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan, John C. Robinson
Camp at Gaines Farm near
New Bridge 7 miles from
Richmond, Va.
June 12th, 1862
My darling Florence,
Although I have only received one letter from you since we left
Portsmouth, I will not stop writing. We are still at the old camp we first made
when coming to this region. Today there has been a movement of troops &
quite a force has passed our camp to cross the Chickahomy at “Grape Vine
Bridge.” I think that we will all move before long. Today we were visited by
our old Col. Brig. Gen. Robinson. He is placed in command of Jamison’s
Brigade in Heintzelman’s Division or Corps.
For the first time since we have been at this camp, the battery in front of our camp has been silent all day, quite a rest to the rebels across the way.
We are drilling quite hard & our men take great interest in the drills
seeming to think that in perfection there is protection & the boys were right.
Our Reg. moves splendid & I do not fear for them when the time for action arrives though they have not had the experience of the rest of the division. I wish that this last great struggle was over. We all think that as soon as this is decided the war is virtually at an end, but little more remains for us to conquer – Charleston must fall soon & where can the rebels retreat to unless they form they form into Guerilla parties & overrun the country in a manner that will soon bring the remaining inhabitants to terms!
We will not be beaten. The papers of the day do not give a correct idea of our force here. There is not a doubt in the mind of the soldiery but that they can move on & through Richmond & the confidence in McClellan’s is
unbounded.
I had a letter from Henry Bush. He is with his Reg. in Halleck’s Army.
His letter was full of hope that they would have action service soon but he has been disappointed for Beauregard did not use his rebels at Corinth.
Where is your Brother Geo? I forgot to tell you in my last, that I now
have a Captain – Whittlesey was promoted to fill the vacancy. At present he is on a Court Martial & has not reported for duty. He & I will agree first rate &
have not heard from Michigan in a long time.
Tis so strange that I should be sitting here writing you tonight when 10 days since I was listening to the dismal crooking of the frog of the dismal
swamp. I can hardly realize the change. Everything seems more quiet here.
No bands, drums or bugles are allowed to sound. Our calls are sounded by a
whistle not in like a boatman’s call. Tonight save the occasional report of a
picket rifle all is still. A silenced which is the prelude of a terrible concert soon to begin. We cannot tell the plan of operations. I do not think siege will be laid to the city. Prof. Lowe says the enemy are in force outside the city. His balloon is very near our camp. I was over to the camp of the fourth tonight. Charley Parsons is as usual.
Have you returned to work yet? Tell me how long you are yet to stay in
N.Y. I would give the world to see you then & “see you safe home.” I think that
I will be allowed to go as soon as this matter is decided & that cannot be long
and you will remember me to your mother. I shall write often. Very often are
my hastily written things acceptable? Tis not easy to sit on our “bread box” &
write upon another but they are the only furniture that we can get. Our
greatest trouble is to get a sufficient quantity of food. Some days the
Commissary will have enough to spare out of the men’s rations & again he has nothing – but we manage by having a strong Corps. of thieving Negros to keep soul & body together & feels in good spirits you will write me as often as
possible & when I am not tired in the early part of the day I will try to write a
more interesting “document.”
Always remember that through all the toils & privations of this life my
love is strengthened & I rest in the assurance that in your love I am safe. With
right on our side – knowing that God is with us I cannot falter now. He will
protect & save. I live in the hope that we will yet be happy together.
Always pray for
Your, Will
Charley Parson asked to see your picture. Alas: I had to tell him that I had left
it at camp. Have you yet heard from Fanny French? Charley wished that you
might stop & see his Jenny out of course you will not without being
