Durand, David J. – January 18, 1863

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/durand-david-j/
Regiment: 20th Michigan Infantry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside Camp 20th Mich. Near Strawbury Plains Tenn. Monday Jany. l8th 1863 Dear Brother John I Recd two long letters from you night before last. One was written Dec.l3..and the other Dec 30th.. I tell you I was glad enough to hear from you. The mail is great while going and coming too. But I guess it all gets thgouth Safe.. I was glad to hear that Harlen had got their. He will tell you all the news of the fight. And all about us better than we can write it. I think that the papers were slightly mistaken when they said that we were in Nicholasville, Ky. Although we Expected to have been their by this time, but now we hear that Genl. Burnsides has taken command down here again And if that is so I don’t think we shall get a chance to go over the mountains very soon. You know old Burney thinks a great deal of his old Ninth Corps. And wherever he goes (Their go we also) (And Satan came also). When I last wrote you we were a Blains X Roads.. Day before yesterday we broke camp there..And marched to this place we started from there at 10 A.M. And arrived here at 2 P.M. 8 miles. And the mud was very bad, This army if pretty hard up for clothing. Some of the men have to j make mockersens out of the raw hides taken, from the beef It seems rather hard to be obliged to do so.. But they take it all in good part and do not complain. Thier has a small lot of clothing come and lots more coming.. So we shall have plenty before long. As far as I am concerned.. I have got enough of Every-thing.. Except Socks.. And if the girls have not sent me some by Harlen or Lieut Hammond. You may please send me some by mail. Also a light pair of Buck Skin Gloves.. If you do not get this letter before the winter is gone you need not send the gloves..for I shal not need them. I write you in my last that we could all re-enlist But it is all a hoax. We cannot untill we have been out two years. But we will wait and seewhere the re- bellion is by that time…. I kinder think it will be pretty well wound up..Don’t you? The cars run through this place. it is nothing else. the cars stop here to leave supplies for the army.. And it is a pretty nice place to Encamp I don’t know how long we shall stay..here we had orders to be ready to march this morning at 7o’clock but it has rained every since that time..So I supposed they have postponed marching for the present.. We are about 3/4 of a mile from water And we heard that we were only going to change camp so as to get nearer water. But we don’t know where we are going untill we get their.. Frank Phillips has gone home on a furlough.. I do not know how long it is. But you may wee him before you get this and then he will tell you I wrote to him the other day. He will have a fine time I wish I was with him.. But time goes very fast. And our time will soon be out. And then we will all go into the Veteran Corps and get a furlough for 30 days.. I think Charley & Em…must have felt pretty Cheap when Aaron and Mary asked them over to his party. Well John I guess I have told you all the news..The boys are all well. Andrew Briggs and myself tent together and do and live as we please.. Love to all. We are in the first Brigade again..So you may direct 1st Brigad..lst Division. D.J.Durand I had heard of Anna’s Marriage before I rec’d your letter.. Best respects to Dick & Sate And all of the rest of the folks. Your Brother David J. Durand