Gaylord, Oliver C. – February 16, 1862

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/gaylord-oliver-c/
Regiment: 3rd Michigan Cavalry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Hospital 3rd Mich Cav St Louis Feb l6th/62 My Dear Wife I received yours of the 9th in due time and I tell you it is the greatest pleasure I can enjoy while here although I was sorry to hear that Mother was sick and coming down with the measels I hope you will be very careful about letting her get cold. I am afraid you will have your hands more than full I wish Mat and Norman Joy in their new treasure and hope she will very soon enjoy her usual health again Tell them to name them him Abraham N I finished a letter to Wm last night that I have been two days writing in answer to one I got from him I am so weak I had to rest often The exercise of mind tired me The farthest I have been from the house is about 4 rods although it is some 12 days since I began to sit up But I was take with a very peculiar kind of sore throat that has kept me back It appeared to be an inflamation of the palate For a number of days I could only swallow by lying on my back some of the softest moist food I could get but It is about well now and I feel much stronger to day Our Regiment is under marching orders and are pretty sure to leave during the coming week they expect to go to Kentucky or Tennessee but do not know. I dont know whether I can go with them or not There must be as many as 18 or 20 in the same situation that I am not able to go without having a comfortable an unexposed place and conveyance We will go on the River I have got all the papers you sent me I think you need not send any more Tribunes unless there is something special in them for they are so old that I dont care much about them You have never told me what answer Audrey got about giving you help I should think one county or the other must help you I think it is a curious game the supervisors are playing You better tell Burch that If you cant get 6 dollars or enough to pay for your board where you are you will have to go to Corrunna and hire a room and call on the supervisors for enough to live on there I think I will write to Burch at least whether it does any good or not Did Audrus write any letter to the Attorney General when I was there and did you get anything at that time You must take the wagon back by all means but tell him you cant pay the 4 dollars just now and put it off as long as you can The He must be a shiftless careless lazy fellow. lf he keeps it he will sell it and he wont never have anything for us since he has left where he was and dont work my place If you can get 600 for the place take let it go If they say anything about that old tax title let them know that we have the receipt for the taxes for that year and that it is perfectly worthless to the holder If you cant get all pay down give time for some of it and if you cant get 600 get less but dont go below 500 I shall never go on to that place again so Well I’d like to come home and see you but I suppose there is no way to do it honorably I dont think it will be over 4 months before I will be home for good Keep up good courage Hoping that your sick will be well again soon I close this with all its mistakes for you to rectify I am Your Loving and faithful Husband O C Gaylord