Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/franklin-elbridge/
Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp “Michigan” Va
Saturday Jan 18th 1862
Dear Parents. The day is stormy
and tomorrow I must go on guard
which will prevent me from writing any
then unless it is to complete this letter.
Since my last we have done nothing
not even drill. Stormy weather,
the wet and icy ground have prevented
drilling. The many letters unanswered
which we have writen forbade us
writing more. The time passed slowly.
no letters, no drill, no anything.
but sit in the tent + do nothing but
peruse the morning paper. the
contents of which were quickly devoured
How I wish my land was here
or I near my land (I dont care which)
that I might spend my unemployed
time, using the axe. I would willingly
take a job of work if one could be had
near here everything was not so uncertain
$13.00 a month is not anough
for such inactivity. The paymasters
made his appearance Friday though
his appearance was not so anxiously
looked for as in Nov last. I think some had
rather he would. not have come for after saying
the sutler + what had been borrowed of
the boys nothing remained. Such was
not the case with us however. Had pay
day been postponed a month it would
have made no difference with us except
our wish to send home some sooner.
Were it not for the encumbrance on
any land + my wish of paying it as soon
as possibly my wages would be laid
here so that it would bring 12 per cent
Those having to spare can quickly
load it with interrest one dollar for
the use of 5 2 months or 20 per cent for
2 months. Merryman says he shall
send none home this payday. + if
Susan has not received her pay from
Mr. Morehouse she will not be apt to
get it now. I received a letter
from Maria Thursday which contained
the “One thing needful” although with
it we did not “mend our ways” yet
we mended some holes in our socks
although we are not in the habit of
swearing yet we “darned” awfully
I also received a courier Friday
over 200 cannon were heard down
the Potomac last night which is
more then we usually hear in one
night. 12 prisoners have been taken
by the pickets who relieved us + by a
couting party who took 6 near where
the skirmish washed on the 9
th
In my last to Horace the price of
whisky may be considered rather
“big” but it is nevertheless true
The Suttler gets $1.00 for a pint bottle
of whisky but it is taking advantage
of the soldiers as they can not get it
any where else with out going to Alexan-
dria + have it they will no matter the price
That Suttlers sell liquor with
the knowledge of the officers
I will show is so by an article
cut from the Baltimore Clipper
of yesterday from a report of a Committtee
on Government frauds, + which is here
attactched
That some sutlers are making $3000
profits per month. That nearly all the suttlers
south of the Potomac seel liquor, with the
knowledge of the officers, and that it is smug-
gled in boxes marked “Government and hos
pital stores”, or packed in barrels and mark-
ed “beef.”
Sutlers make from 50 to 100 percent
on their goods. About .75 on tobacco
+ butter about .50 on stationary, cakes +
fries, cheese, sausage, ham + fresh pork
at least .70 On whisky at least 2.50
By the credit system which they are
allowed many trade with him alone
so many because they have no money
Tobacco (an article which can not be disp
ensed with by some) the suttler makes
the most on. I expect a draft
to day of $40.00 so I will write a
few lines to night or tomorrow +
enclose it E.F.
continued from first sheet
Sunday Evening
We received a “Courier” on
Friday. We expect to hear
of the arrival of our money
home this week. Merryman
says he sent home $22.50 to
his father I hope Susan will
get her pay out of this
reconnoitering parties are
now frequently sent out
We have heard nothing defin
ite concerning the firing it
may be nothing but Soldiers
drilling a large amount
of blank cartridges has
been used in the last 3
weeks, the drilling being almost
entirely in firing + fighting
imaginary battles
I must close having no
more to write
Good by for the present
Elbridge Franklin
J. Franklin
P.S. Since writing the
above I have learned
that a party of rebels
are at
[ ? ] Church
+ a larger number
beyond such is the
news our scout brought
in to day. Cavalry scouts
go out every day beyond
our lines. If this news
is true we may expect
to be called out soon
as this brigade is sta
tioned the nearest to
[ ? ] Church
E.F.
