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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp near Sharpsburg
Oct. 17th 1862
My Own Mary.
Once more I have
a cheering word from my Own
My Darling Mary. I have not
written very often lately partly
because we had no mail for
over a week and I wanted
to hear before writing, and
partly because I have so much
more to do as Orderly than before.
Brewer writes me he is try-
ing to get a furlough to go
home. I think he will get it.
Should he you will probably
received a call from him
“Alls quiet on the Potomac.”
will be the
[ ? ]
phrase for all newspaper reporters
for the coming six months. or
I’m a false Prophet.
One of my chums just seeking
a love
[ ? ] says he thinks if he
should go home he believes she
would fall in love at first
sight. I think I know where
my first sight would be.
Oct. 18th Evening an
October evening. beautiful and
clear. The Starry Heavens
above us Seemingly Smiling
in approval of all mankinds
deeds. We know it is not
so. that the power which rules
us. rules for good and evil
alike. We are thus at the mercy
of every wind that blows, and
every wave that sweeps with
resistless power toward us
[ ? ]
the strongest from what he
knows to be the path of
duty. Time has brought
another change in our Co.
which is ones world here.
Capt. Giroux has been dischar-
ged. Lieut Baker is Capt.
Brewer 1st Lieut but the
joke is we held an election
for Second Lieut. and Orderly
Clark did not get a vote.
Third Sergeant
[ ? ] had 17
majority and his voters were
some forty new men he had
brought in the Co. and which
were more than half the Co.
every one going for him.
He was 8th Corpl. but was
sent home sick last April
where he has been through all
our summer campaign. he
got married and then leave
to recruit. I console myself
thus I know just as much
as the man that got the
place. and again it will
not hurt me to act Sergt.
awhile this war will be
long enough to try us all
in our new positions.
Four ever
Gardner.
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
Mich.