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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp near Harrisons Landing
July 29th 1862
My Own Mary.
I will have to
ask you to over look my negligence
in not writing to you oftener. One
great reason why I have not written
is. I have nothing interesting to
write. except the truth, and that
I will not write. “for love nor money,”
And I venture the assertion. that
there is not ten men in this whole
Grand Army. will do it. Last
week we joined the Regt. again
and suppose we will stay here while
the war lasts. I received two
letters from you from Cascade last
week. your letters come to me reg-
ular. which is the only good thing.
I have to boast of. Why do not
some of Baxters enlist. some of the
young and healthy ones. Uri it would
do good. Isa and Milo both would
make good soldiers. though if they
can remain at home with a clear
conscience feeling they have done
their duty to the laws which pro-
tect them. I will be the last
man to reproach them. I see
by the Eagle Jim Cavanaugh is
recruiting a Co. in Grand Rapids
for the new troops. Co. A. of the
Third never spoke very highly of
his fighting qualities he was Second
Sergeant and had he shown true
grit, would with the influence
he possesed. Long since held a
Commission in a Regt. which has
earned laurels that any
man might well be proud of.
What the next move on this
vast chequer board will be. I can
not surmise. but am wanting
anxiously to see. and am almost
daily expecting the Rebs. Iron Clad
which is building at Richmond will
make a descent upon our shipping
in the James. I hope she will do
it. I want to see the fire.
But the mail is ready and
if it was’nt I am “played out.”
I will certainly write again
this week.
Love and a kiss.
Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450)
Mich.
