Everett, Robert A. – March 1, 1862

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/everett-robert-a/
Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Ambrose E. Burnside, Joseph Hooker, Samuel P. Heintzelman Camp Michigan Fairfax Co Virginia March 1st 1862 My Dear Parents Once more I have the privelages of addressing you. Since writing my last we have been unusualy buisy. Measles have continued to increase and have assumed an alarming [  ?  ] of [  ?  ] co, 16 men have died in the last 30 days three horse died to day. many are in the hospital. the cases all assume a malignant type as soon as the eruption begins to fade.  Gunn + myself have the [  ?  ] all of the time, and it is enough to make one ful blue, to see a disease carrying off the men, + see it completely baffer all medical skill My health is good, I never enjoyed better than at the present, I weigh the most I ever did Now for the news. this “army of the Potomoc” is just on the eave of an advance. it will surely be made within the next two days. I think it will come off on the first of next week. We are ordered to keep two days rations constantly on hand. Shall move without tents. We are to take one hospital tent + a load of surgical supplies. There is an order to detail on Asst Surgeon from this Brigade to remain in charge of the four Hospitals (hope + pray that it may not be me.) I am sorry the best I know how to get it put on to me if the others, and trust that I may succeede. Our picket lines have been moored up two or three miles and Prof Lowe has been up [  ?  ] his bullom to view the position + nooks of the enemy we expect the first fight at the [  ?  ] You mad not look for any more “Bull Run affairs” for we shall go to Richmond before we stop. I must stop writing for it is time that I was in bed, us I have to be up early in the morning Mch 3rd I again siege a little time and will try and finish this letter, three or four more have died since I wrote the first of this letter, the vernlance of the disease seems to be [  ?  ]. Yesterday we recurid an order to report all if our sick [  ?  ] that would have to be left + that they would be sent to General Hospital. the preparatory steps are still going on. Prof Lowe + Gen Heintzelman went up in a ballon at Proick Church, quite a number of large [          ?          ] went down the river yesterday to Gen Hookers Division. The think gets closes at hand, all, soldiers are prohibited from writing home to any one that is, the mail is detained, all reports are thus cut off. I am obliged to send this to Washington by Dr Gunn + have it mailed from there, Gen Banks has crossed the river above. We shall move down the river + to the left of Mem[  ?  ] probably in Fredericksburgh, Burnside will threater Norfolk + Richmond + we will enjoy then at their strong hold, I prophesy a bloody fight if they make a stand, which they most [  ?  ] will, We are all just as buisy as any one can be, just think of prescribing for 100 men, evry day of our life + keeping a record of all we does, Ambulances have to be looked at + horses fed, &c, +c I five or six days I think we shall be off I leave my trunk and extra baggage in Alexandria or Washington, you remember what kinds of a one it is block with my name on the end. My watch I shall take with me, I [  ?  ] what $25 in camp, Pay is doneme for the government for the 1st of Jay last, and own a horse + saddle clear. I just mention these facts so if evry thing should turn up you would know how to look for them, My pay is $129.83, pr. month, less $8, for feeding my horse, I feel in good spirits + will write you again in a few days. you must give my love to all tell my sister to remember + write to me, I design if any accident should happen, to devote my litte means to giving her a good education. I will endeavor to [  ?  ] letters in my trunk replaining what I now done, To my Father, if i never return, remember that I fall in a glorious cause, and am ready if necessary, take care of the family. Mother, I know not what to say, May God bless you + keep you all. From Your Son Robert P.S. I have $100, in the Bank at Hillsdale RH