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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: William T. Sherman
kiss
Camp Stoneman D.C.
May 6th 1865
My Darling Wife
My Mary.
Yours of
the 28
th I received last eve
you may be sure I was glad
to hear you had at last heard
from me. I think it strange
you had not received two letters
I wrote you from the National
Hotel at Washington one had
an order on the U.S. Depossitory
for over forty four dollars.
I shall expect another letter
from you to-morrow now dont
disappoint me will you “Sis”
David has not received his
Special Bounty yet and wants
me to have you pay Mr. Crosby
that twenty-five dollars, which he
would refund to me as soon as
he could get here. I told him
you would do it. which please
do. Why he does not have
Uncle Len. pay it I cannot
tell only he says they have not
written him and he shall
trouble them very little until
they do. David has been quite
sick for nearly a week looks
miserable to day,
War and rumors of
wars fill our camp. Shermans
Stern Warriors are soon to arrive
here, for the purpose of being
mustered out of service. then
comes the “Army of the Potomac
first in fray, last to lay down
the implements of death. God
knows the Nation knows that
If one is ever to be proud of
any thing, if the gratitude of
the people
are is to be given to
any body of men more than another
then first and foremost stands
that great b
[ ? ] of the Govt.
the towering head and shoulders
above comprise the “Army of
the Potomac” I have not
yet made an attempt to draw
my pay which I might have
done a week ago but having
money enough for the present
I did not think it worth while
to hurry. Now I understand no
more men are to be paid until
Shermans Army has been dischar
ged. Well it is of no account
I can get along well enough
I have thirty five dollars yet which
will last me this month. I dont
mean to
go use much money.
after a day or two I shall get boarded for five dollars
a week cheap enough it leaves me some chance
to save something every body but me and Blake have
great old time drink my poor whiskey and the like
we have a splendid camp on the banks of the Potomac
at about equal distances. Rumors are afloat to the
effect that we are to releive the Veteran Reserves
through Washington and do Guard duty there then
for
[ ? ]
Love and some kiss
Ever your
Gardie
[On Envelope:]
Mrs. Mary B. Clark
Grand Rapids
Box 215 Michigan