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Regiment: 5th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Russell A. Alger
Camp Cav. [ ? ]
June 12” 1863
My Dearest Wife
Last night I was awak
ened by a man with the mail
from camp but with as I like
to be disturbed when
[ ? ] I
did not complain as I rec’d
a letter from you and I came
very quick it was postmarked
the 9” and I rec’d it the 11” at night
I have recd 3 or 4 good letters
from you lately and they have
done me a pile of good. I am
sorry to say that I have diskor
ed of those sky blue pants gave
them to “Jim” my contraband whose
unmentionables were airy than com-
fortable I have another pair how-
ever so perhaps you can get them-
We are about twenty one miles
from our picket camp to Washington
and about 18 miles from our
Regt camp near Fairfax C.H.
Yesterday we had a little ex-
citement “boots + saddles” and “to
horse” were sounded and we
formed in the in a field
expecting to go on a scout but
Col. Gray sellected a portion of
his own Regt for the purpose
much to the chagrin did anger
of our Regt. who thought we were
entitled to a chance in the
[ ? ]
and excitements of a scout.
but all is quiet this morning
and very warm and dry
You are getting very industrious
and quite a walked.
I have had some strawberries but
they are not very abundant I suppose
they are hardly ripe yet in Mich
so Capt Knox is going home again I
am surprised to hear it I am
in hopes if I should ever resign
that I should stay at home-
I am sorry to hear that James
Selleck is sick I hope he will soon
recover I wrote them back
have never rec’d an answer
Newcom has not visited Flint
yet expected he would have gone
here but perhaps he is very
much interested at C. as I was
once on a time on my return
from a distant journey (south)
Capt Y-health is very poor
he does not do duty half the time
+ has not since he has been in the
service still he does all he can and
more than he ought to probably
We have a Col. Alger. Lieut. Keith
has been home and married has
not got back to the Regt yet. Do you
remember him a dark complexion +
black hair and pleasant spoken
man. Capt Williams has resigned
I hear wanted a majority but did
not get it. There is some talk of our
moving our picket camp as our
new Col. has been in command
at a different point with a portion
of his old Regt (the 6
th)
[ ? ] will want
his own Regt now probably but it
is only a short distance three or
four miles I think.
I am well as can be with plenty
to do but not enough to hurt
me at present.
Write often dear if you wish
to visit Clarkston do not
[ ? ]
the expense but go right along
my Respt. to all inquiring friends
The stamps are very acceptable
just enough
With much Love I Remain
Your Own
Egbert
Did you discover any difference
in the supereciption
Phillip
[ ? ] this
