Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/chalker-george-n/
Regiment: 26th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan, Joseph Hooker
Camp Alexandria
April the 2nd, 1863
How do you do every body?
We are all well. George, how do you get along? I am well and tough as a hickory knot.
Glad to hear it George. Well, father, I don’t know as I can write you much of a letter this
time. I wrote you the other day. I presume you will get two or three letters together this
time. I don’t care if l do, George. Well, father the rest of the boys are well. I received
your letter directed March the 15th, day before yesterday. I was glad to hear from you but
I was sorry to hear that Mother and little Elmer was not very well. Mother, I know what
ails you and if you don’t stop thinking of him I shall come some time and eat up all of
your bread and drink all the sour milk that’s in the house (now George if you continue to
be as mean as that I don’t want you to come home. I will just as you say) George, if you
come you can have the sweet milk. Mother, I sent you my picture in my last letter. Have
you got it or not? Say Mother if some one of you three India, Hannah or you wants my
picture after we get our pay. Tell me how you want it taken, what you want me to have
on or in my hands and your son has it just so. Father, I am glad that your hay was a
holding and so good. Do you keep the horses yet or not? Father, how does the cattle
look? Does it look like Spring there yet? There aren’t a single sign here yet. The wind
blows as cold as Greenland. Today there is a trifle of snow on the ground. Nights very
cold. Weather very changeable here.
It is reported they had a fight at Fairfax yesterday but there is a battle expected at
Fredericksburg. Every day, General Hooker has the entire command of the army.
He has one hundred and fifty thousand under his command. He has got it so
arranged that they can’t interfere with him at Washington. That’s good. That’s the
way with McClellan. Just as soon as he got so he could do anything he was stopped.
Every soldier is for him. The boys have good times here. Byron is very much obliged
for that letter you sent him. Andrew says tell Maryana that she shall have his picture if
he lives till he gets his pay. The 1st and 5
th, 6
th, and 7th Cavalry are at Fairfax now.
I must close soon. Write often, will you not? I must say often to Julia.
This is to Pa and Ma from Geo N. Chalker
