Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: George B. McClellan
Washington Jan 30th 1862
My Own Loved Mary. As I lie in my tent milling the contents of that box I wonder what you are doing and think ing this rainy weather. Tuesday I went to the City for it could not find it and when I get back found it to the quar- termasters it came by a different Express than I expected since then I have been troubled with a sore throat and a sore in one side of my head. my throat is so sore that I can only nibble at those cakes and that cheese and Battles that dried beef is splended I can eat more of that than any thing there was in the box. But those strawbery preserves they have the effect to bring old time more vivdly to mind than any thing you could have sent “My God” says Brewer “What did you leave all these for and try to win honor and close by fighting.” well I hardly know now though when I started I knew all about it and think if I [ ? ] join old Jim Lane on his expedition I would soon know again any thing but this cursed in action which hampers and fetters thousands that would if allowed the [ ? ] make this whole centiment sing with daring deeds in behalf of Liberty and sight and for the union. It may not be Justice to the man but McClellans ability I doubt and nothing but acts on his part with ever change my opinion and there are others yes they number thousands that are in the same list How much did the freight on that box cost I was sorry you paid it because I am afraid you are short er will be before that money gets there and when it does come please present whatever you please of it to your mother to repay in part what she has done for me. and besides I knew that times are pretty hard there and those things are worth to me twice what cost not as necessities but because they came from home. Since pay day I have been growing stingy n regard to spending my money for luxuries. I dont long any thing but what I actually need and get along with as little as possible it is all nonsense for me to throw away money the way I have when there are [ ? ] dear to me that it will do more good to. your short letter of the 23rd It shall have to pay in kind this time not from inclination but because I want to write a few times to your Father and Mother and shall have to quit by that time for I feel pretty weak now I hope by the time you get this you will be over the mumps and well as ever I have been expecting to have there this number of days but dont know as they will come near me. Brewer is under arrest for disobedience of orders and he feels pretty bad about it he is not to blame and they will not hurt him but he does not like to have it said he had to be court martialed I need to have him not write to his folks about it but he has. I should not have written it to you. With a mouthful of kisses and [ ? ] is to have his furlough extended if he much love Good bye Gardner gets a telegraph dispatch which is to be sent him to day. I have just eat already supper and feel considerable better it was a supper fit for a king. By the way you directed that box just right that [ ? ] free having played out With a kiss good night Gardner [On Envelope:] Box 450 Miss Mary J. Baxter Grand Rapids Michigan