Clark, Gardner B. – November 24, 1861

Michigan Civil War Collection


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Camp of Instruction Berdans U.S. Sharp Shooters Washington D.C. Nov. 24th 1861 My Own Dear Mary, The Church bell are ringing right merrily this morning. the air is clear and still and it seems more like Grand Rapids than any thing else I have seen. Last week I wrote but one letter to you and received three. one was de- layed a few days. About that Poetess you wrote to me. I had quite a time with Brewer about her. his Biddy writes Poetry and pretty good some of it is. and I told By. I thought she must be his Mary and if it was she had better keep her fists out of her eyes or she would have none for him. How you could guess so near Brewers looks is a mystery to me. he has light hair blue eyes and is one nick shorter and a trifle slimmer if we can get to Washington together I am going to have our Picture taken and send you. That money will be paid you by some Pay- master sither by letter or personally I suppose but am not certain at least it is time you had it if I had not expected it would be paid I as soon as I could have sent it I should not have sent it that way. I should like to see how you look now. so if you please you may send me your Picture again soon. One of my tent mates says he has fallen so deep in love with you he does not know how he will get out again. We have built us a nice fire place in one side of our house so we live warm as one could wish in the Army. The first night after we got it done we had a party invited Brewer and Lake and, “Did’nt go home till morning.” Lakes is doing first rate now he is one of our Cooks. he makes more fun than any other one in the Company the other day he and I got up a bet of five dollars with some boys from the Southern part of the state that thought they were pretty smart on shooting. we to take five from Grand Rapids and they five from the rest of the Company. five shots a piece. yesterday part of them shot. and on the first three we were over six inches a head and our two best shots yet to shoot. before we commen- ced they were anxious to be side bets which were mostly taken of cours. last night they had done betting. tomorrow we will finish it to n and if we do not beat them I shall lose my guess. Lakes bad actions were when we were at Weehawken. as I told you before that was the worst place I ever saw Lake pitched in did all it possible to think of with this exception. he did not drink he says he is sorry now for doing as he did. but he is very impulsive and there is no telling what he would do in a like place. I gave him a good talking to which he took in a good part and we are as good friends as ever. If we get out bread or want some sugar he lays it one side for us so we can get it when no one knows it. Perhaps it will seem strange to you that I should take such a course to get enough to eat. but if I did not many would be the scant meals for I cannot eat but very little meat and only beef which we only have twice a week. while I am in the Army if there is enough to be had to eat you may be your life I will have it and that thats is good. I did not think you would get along quite so fast with that chain but when you get it done lay it aside for me I will come after it. would like to see that shawl I’ll take your word for it that it is pretty. With much love Gardner B. Clark [On Envelope:] Miss Mary J. Baxter Grand Rapids Michigan