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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Culpepper V.a.
Sept. 17th 1863
My Own Darling Wife.
Around me to-
night burn brightly the bivouac fires
of the Army of the Potomac. The heavy
and monotonous rumble of trans-
ports and artillery. the hard and
somewhat discordant notes of the
bugle mingled with the martial
strains of here and there a band
serenading some General. make up
a scene which is not altogether disa-
greeable. There is very much to
claim a mans attention, and I assure
you soldiering has its charms.
Yesterday we
broke camp at night and marched
several miles. Yesterday from day break
until nine P.M. we continued on our
“winding way.” and reached our pres=
ent position about noon to day in a
direct course only ten miles travel,
but we made three times that of it.
Yesterday we had the extreme pleas=
ure of fording two streams the last
one “took me in” half my length.
I am
very lucky on this march. When I
first came back Osman picked up
a horse that the Rebs had worn out
and left. and marked C.S. he was
rather thin. but I picked up a right
smart nigger boy when I came through
Washington who believes corn to be good
for poor horses. So all my worldly
goods the afore said horse carries.
I had turkeys
for supper and green corn is plenty
Yours of the 10th just received many
thanks. The third Mich. has just
returned from Troy New York.
I should be surprised if ere
this reaches you we had a bit of
a brush with the enemy.
With love and a kiss.
Your Gardner
[Detached Stamp Included]