Graves, Ira – May 8, 1863

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/graves-ira/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: May 8th Franklin Tenn     1863 Dear Clara I once more write you a few short lines I got your two last letters and should wroat but I had no ink nor stamps no could I git eny, and I had nothen warth paying three cents for to write nor halve I was I can hear the cannon booming in our rear but do not know what it means probley we will hear time enough to suit me, I am not over and a have anches to git in to a fight [   ?   ] now we halve plenty [   ?   ] mast evry day we ar [   ?   ] night and day and we ar giting tiard of it but that is the chance of war I may halve to saddle up before I finish my letter no telling, I wait and see the guns ar varey heavy hear it comes saddle up and I [  ?  ] bid you good by for this time I commence again we had no fight we only formed in line of battle and waited for further orders but non came and we come in again so I will finish mty writing to you, the weather is varey fine to day it has been raining for three days but it is beautifull again appleas ar as large as pigons [  ?  ] and peaches ar about the same [  ?  ] and evry thing looks nice the trees with their flowing laughs and the lofty hills that look down with a fently smile and the gentle breas sweep by tell us of our health and of meney plesant day we may spend if we ar a loud to remain hear this is a bautyfull plase with good watter wich makes our cheaks glow with health well the time is sliping a way fast two large werey months has past and gon never more to return since I left you and it seems but a moment that I was by your side, scarcly sixteen months more and that will set me once more free, yes free as the air ar [   ?   ] in the [   ?   ] living in hope as long as life remains, I think that it will not take all summer to camp to some settlement with the south I am in hops yet of [   ?   ] I sent you a paper and a book in your father name to blind talk my brother directed some things to him of his except [  ?  ] par at [   ?   ] bits them is nine two that looks or like he talk of sending one pare his [   ?   ] then two I captard [  ?  ] secesh harses I halve the last horse now your father may look for some money I sent it long two week ago and it must come be for this time, $62, I sent it by our sutlers and he was to express it at Detroit prob ley it is thare before this time I don’t think I shall draw eny more pay till this year is out if I do then I do not want money more think I can make as I go and the rest I can save, do not go out to Clara you ar not healthy enough to work out and you do not need to, write when you please and it will please me, James Phillops you knew him he was sparking one at the Wilders girls he was taking prisoner a month ago, and has not ben hird of since my brother is at Louisville after horses with some others good by my love for this time I would like to be thare but can not send me some stamps and keep some yours with love and joye, Ira Graves C. S [On Envelope:] Miss Clara Simonds Watransville Tuscola Mich