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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp Near Brandy Station
Virginia April 1st/64
Dear Wife
I received yours of
the 23rd last night was glad to
hear that my little family
were well as this leaves me at
present George was a little
disappointed when he opened
the letter and saw that it
was for me I was not with
them that evening I was on
gard I had come off and was
in the gard house to sleep
when Smith fetched it to me
I was a conciderable tierd for
we had broke camp that
morning and marched about
four or five miles and it
was some mudy and I had
a pretty heavy load and as
soon as we got there I was
put on gard with nine others
we are camped now near
Brandy Station on the rail
road between the Brandy
and Cullpeper in a camp
that the (Johnies) built
last fall but was driven away
I received one from you on
the 26th the 27th and one last
night which was the 31st I tell
you what it is Julia when
a man can hear from home
as often as that it keeps
him in good spirits but I do not
expect to get them as often
as that but if I can get
one once a week I Shall be
very thankfull, you wrote
that you had six of the
letters that I had wrote a
laying on the stand I think
that you had oughto have
more than that for I have written
this will be twelve I think
that you must have a
few to read if you even
get them I have sent two
certificates of my enlistment
that I got from Captaiin
Rose and you have not written
whether you have received
them or not, The reason
of my sending two was
because the first one was
not wright for it did not
mention the Town or County
that I had enlisted from
the one that I sent last I
think is right now Julia
as soon as you receive the last
one that I sent or either
one of them I wish that you
would write or get the School
Marm to write for you for
it is time that this business
was fixed up for you are getting
no benefit of the relief fund
I sent the last certificate
the 29th I hope that it will
reach you safe, Tell George
Frazier that I would like some
of his apples and Cider but I think
that I had rather have some of the
pie that little Freddie got out
of the safe and sit down on the
floor with him and help him
eat it dont you think that we
would have a nice old time of it
I often think that I would like
some of your pie and a piece
of dried beef I did not take much
comfert eating dried beef but
you must save some to send me
next winter if I am here
Julia I almost got homesick last
night standing on gard I got to thin-
king about home it was my turn
to come on at eleven and of at
one the camp was still and I had
nothing to do but walk my beat
and think of my home and my
little family I could hear a band
of music away off towards Culpeper
sometime very plain and then if would
die a way
