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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Camp near Brandy Station
Virginia April 3rd/64
Well Julia
I received yours
of the 27th last night it was
but five days a comeing from
Howell here, I have just eat
my breakfast and now I am
a gowing to write a few lines
to let you know that I am
well and able to do duty and
eat all of my rations,
I was glad to hear that my
little family were well nad
that Freddy was so smart
how I would like to see
him tear around yesterday
was a very stormy day it rained
and snowed the most of the
day and the most of our regiment
hadto go out on pickett George
Elliott and George Disbrow was
drawn out of our tent so you
that fortune favoured
me once for if I had went
in such a storm it mite
made me sick for they have
to go six or eight miles
and some mud at that and
be out three days
I want go out very much
but I want it fair weather
and
but I may have enough of
it yet but I am always ready
and willing to do duty when
I am called upon when I
am well, I enlisted to serve
my Countrey and I shall do
it when my health will
admit and I think that
it will be good now, I received
a letter from James day before
yesterday he wrote that he had
been sick but I had heard
of that for you wrote and so
did Silas that he had been sick
James wrote that Mother
was a worrying because I
did not write I wrote her
the 14th of March when I
was at the Hospital but
I dont think that half of
the letters that I wrote when
I was there ever left if they
did some of you will get some
before soon I think
you much of had a house
full last Sunday I think
more than you rearly wanted
how I would liketo of been
there I suppose that you
would tried and made room
for me wouldent you
you wrote that Uncle Henry
and Aunt Margarett were
out a visiting but you did
not write how they left
Uncle Hirams family when
aunt Margarett comes up to
to see you I suppose that
she will think that we are
pretty smart but we cant
come up with her brother yet
so let them fife if they want
they cant play a tune
Second Dispatch
we have been
out on a brigade inspection
and I have gotto write fast or I
shall not get through before the
male goes out Julia I have
got as much as a half a pound of
maple shugar that a Soldier
just fetched into me that I got
acquainted with in the Hospital
by the name of Aldrich his wife
lives four miles west of Fowlervill
he directs his letters there wont I have
something to eat on my bred to
night there was a box sent to
a man in our Regiment with about
40lbs in it he sells it very cheap
he onley asks 40 cents a pound
for it and it goes like hot cakes
so that I could but just
hear it take it all togather
Julia I was rather lonesome
but I have a conciderable on
my mind about home but
I hope all things will work
for the best you must keep
up good courage Julia and
I will try and do the same
hug and kiss little Fred for
me as often as you are a mine
to tell Hiram that I would like
to have him or Florance or both
of them write and I will answer
it I do not have so much time
to write now as I did for I have
to drill I would like to have
your Father write but I suppose
he will not until I do to him
I was sorry to hear that James
was sick but ask hiim if he
could not write to me Allen
Shattock had one from him the
other day he wrote that he
and Father Fewlass had been
sick hope they are smart bu this time
Give my respects to your folks and mine
And all the rest of the friends
I would write more if I had time
But here this letter ends
So no more this time from your affecti
-onate husband Simeon B. Merrill
Direct your letters as before
P.S. I have received six lettesr
from you and have written
you twelve
[On Envelope:]
Mrs. Julia Merrill
Fowlerville Livingston Co
Michigan
