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Regiment: 3rd Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
[ ? ] Nov 12th 1861
My Dear Wife
With pleasure I
received your letter on saturday last
and also one from my folks
It seems they know me too well
to be surprised. I am well. there
is quite a number down with the
measels now, not very sick.
I neglected to write sooner because
I could not write any definite news
The second Regiment is to start
for St Louis on Thursday this week
They will go on horseback to the
south to the central railroad so
you will not have an opportunity
to see them at Corrunna
We don‘t know how long third Regiment
will stay here, we will get a part
of our uniforms this week and the
whole of it before long I shall try
to get a furlough next week but
you need not look for me till 1 come
nor neglect to write to me we cannot
always get away when we want to
Nov 15th
As I was writing the above I was
called off on duty for 24 hours
and yesterday we was taking horses
to the depot I said above that
they were going south to the
central Railroad but they finally
went to detroit We
went to can
hear 40 stories a day here about
the same thing said to come
direct from head quarters and
know nothing at last we have
our overcoats and hats two pair drawers
1 pr boots and two shirts a piece. Albert Andess
has been pretty steady since he has
been here Silas Alliton is down with the
measles but getting well You said you
had to hold Leon when you wrote
your letter but you did not whether
he was well or not Ifany of you are
sick I want you to let me know
it As soon as I get
so paid of I
wi1l send you all I can.
When the Governor was here on
Wednesday there was a memorial
got up and presented to him with
regard to aiding of families of soldiers
because in some counties the
supervisors have neglected
to and
refused to aid them The Governor
Chandler and Kellogg all spoke
favorably upon it and said that
when the Legislature met they
would indevor to get the law
amended and made so explicit
that the supervisors could not evade
the law I have not said any thing
about the grand barbeque on Wednesday
The Citizens of Grand Rapids and vicinity
gave a free dinner to the soldiers
They roasted a fat ox whole and
brought pies cakes preserves pickles
apples &c &c There were a great many
people here besides soldiers
You will not be surprised at
the mistakes and penmanship
when you know that there were
about 40 talking laughing playing
cards and &c all around me
Write again soon and tell me all
the particulars and how you enjoy
yourself & all about the children
I must try to see you again before I
go away
I remain your devoted husband
O.C. Gaylord