Clark, Gardner B. – September 27, 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: [Image of U.S. Capitol] Washington D.C. Sept. 27th/61 Dear Mary;U.S. Capitol. I should rather have dated this some where in Virginia if I only knew where I only know that we are near the chain Bridge. we crossed the river last Saturday laid out in the rain that night. got wet clean through and back again. dried off the next day however and marched two miles and pitched our tents but did not have enough. so I took my blanket and had a first rate good sleep on old Mother Earth. Monday morning went out on Picket with twenty of our Co. came back last night got two letters from some body in Mich. that I hope to have some jolly good times with by and by, by the way I have received all your letters they came two at a time your letters will all come to me whereever I am. I had a jolly good time on Pickey did’nt get a shot at any of them seceders and did’nt see any untill just as we were coming back. one of our company went out with me past our lines and nearly to the rebels we saw two about sixty rods away and I was going to shoot at one of them but the fellow that was with me would not let me for we were pretty close to their pickets. I’ll have a shot soon and when I do I’ll write you. I mean to take a prisoner the first thing. They dont allow us to go out side our lines but when we go they are very glad to know what we see. I dont want to say any thing against my old neighbors and acquaintances. and I presume the rest of the company do not. but I never was thought half as much of as I have good reasons for thinking I have been for the past week. but because I say I. I do not mean myself only as one of Berdans Sharpshooters and particularly the Michigan company every where we go since we crossed the river we get the first and best where we was on picket guard they would not let watch nights but we had got to sleep so we could have our eyes open in the day time. I had a gay old supper the other night. fried chicken and home made bread with nice butter the first butter I have seen since we left Weehawken the next morn- ing had some nice fresh secession pork. I find butchering to be a good trade on the sacred soil as long as they put me on Picket duty I shall not starve nor go hungry long at a time. I think Maria laid it pretty strong but never mind it will be made night as soon as I get this little difficulty with the seceders settled. Of course I wish Ed all manner of fed officer as I would all my friends. but when he has seen what it to lack [ ? ] good officers he will want the best men for the place. if I have good luck that is the luck to live through this war. and hard labor will and attention. to day will accomplish any thing. I will not come out a private I dont know when I shall get time to write to the girls. give them my respects (best ones mind) With much love Truly Yours       Gardner B. Clark I found cousin Den Brigham the other day in the [ ? ] Third he has been out here two or three months it does not agree with him first rate he is not very healthy. he has been in two skirmishes. About five thousand of our troops with the New Hamp- shire She and all but twenty of the Mich. Co. S.S. that were on picket went out on a foraging expedition and captured a lot of horses cattle and sheep hay and grain from the rebels. one of our co. was inqised by the accidental discharge of on of our rifles. which was the only shot our co. fired. Write as often as possible Good Bye.       Gardner Thank you for the stamps though I did not really need them. [On Envelope:] Unite! Unite! Columbia’s Sons Unite, And hurl on our foes the tempest they provoke, The fight is right, then raise your weapons bright, And Traitors all shall tremble at the stroke! Miss Mary J. Baxter Grand Rapids (Box 450)                   Michigan