Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/everett-robert-a/
Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp Michigan Virginia
March 10” 1862
My Dear Sister
You last kind letter
was received on Saturday last and I
haste to answer but this should be the
last chance I shall have to write
you in many days. the hour we
have so long panted for is mus
[ ? ] at
the “army of the Potomac” is at last slowly
beginning to move; the right wing (army up
the river has began to move. they crossed the
river and took possession of Manchester. the
Rebels running on the approach of one troops
yesterday our gun boats made a demonstration
against their river batteries and this
morn, our glorious old flag proudly floates
above the rebel works. To-day three
divisions about 40 thousand men) moved off
in the direction of Centerville, about doz
break, it is believed that Manassas has
just been eracuated, if it is true. (and it
probably is they will occupy it tomorrow,
all is bustle, andactive preperations are
seen on evry hard for the antiscpatied march.
officers and men are packing their baggage
and we are hourly expecting the order to
march, our sick have all been sent
to General Hospital, and I I cause do
not have much to do but pack up. it is
like mooning a common drug store to pack
our hospital traps the men have been
supplied with shelter tents; Officers will
have to take their chances, I shall take
a couple of blankets on my horse and at
night occupy one side of the ambulance
I think we should have moved long
ere this but the balloonist reported 60,000 of
the rebels at
[ ? ] ready to dispute
the papage, this was evidently their effect
to send troops forward and hold us in
check until they retreated with their
baggage trains; it is reported that they have
gone to a point sixty miles south of
Manassas, they probably will endeavor the
concentrate their forces and fortify them
risk a general engagement; before
many days we shall be in Richmond, then
on thro the heart of the south
Mrs Gunn arrived in camp one week
ago, I gave up my place in the Drs. tent
and am now occupying one of the
Hospital Tents, it gives me plenty
of room, and a nice warm place,
Eve has come and a beautiful one it is,
the morn shines forth so bright that it does
not seem as tho this was war + that perhaps
[ ? ] eve would see me sleeping on the
ground, or perhaps a week hence in a soldiers
grave, but perhaps we shall not morn
at all, one cant tell in the army what
we may do know nothing certain until
we get the order; it may come in ten
minutes and it may not in ten days, but
let it come when it may we are ready!
I wish you to be a good girl and go
to school regularly so that when I return I
can see how much you have learned for
you will be
[ ? ] a women then,
I will try and bring you some hindsom
present, you must write to me often +
tell me all of the news, for I often think
of you and look at your smiling face
Saturday last I was in Alexandria saw a few
old friends, a Mr Hart from Adrian, They had
a large fire there in the evening, burned up
two or three stores, Give my love to all
and believe me as ever
Your Affectionate Brother
Robert
