Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/merrill-simeon-b/
Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
1st Division Hospital near 1864
Brandy Station Virginia March 19th
Dear Wife
To day is the 19th day of March
In the year eighteen sixty four
I have written three times to you this month
And am a going to write more
I am here in the Hospital yet
And fell quite content
I think I had as lives be here
As with my Regiment
Although I have drilled but one day
I know that I nead to be drilling
But I could not do it now
If I felt ever so willing
My apetite is very good
And keeps a getting better
My limbs are weak but it strengthens them
Every time that I get a letter
We have three nurses in our Ward
They are very fine chaps
And when you ask for any thing
They are always on their taps
Virginia soil I do not like
It is clay and as red as you please
And every time we have a rain
The mud is up to our knees
If they would give me a dozen farms here
I vow I would not take them
For there is not a fence that you can see
And no timber for to make them
You know I am down in Dixies Land
The land that we sing about
But I had rather be on my little farm
A digging
out the grubs out
Maybe you think that I am home sick
But I am not I swon
But I had rather be at home
A piling up the stone
I do not like the Country here
And I think that I never can
And I have not seen a state yet
That compares with Michigan
My writing it is very poor
That you can plainly see
But I have no other place to write
Except upon my knee
I sent to you a certificate
That I received from Captain Rose
If you have received it all safe
You will let me know I suppose
Give my best respects
to our Fathers and our Mothers
Reserve enough for you and Fred
And some for the Brothers
It is almost dinner time
I must hurry and get through
I hope by the time that you get this
I shall get one from you
This from you Boy of the Michigan 5th
Who enlisted his country to free
He is high private in rear rank
And belongs to Company G
This from your affectionate husband
S. B. Merrill
5th Michigan Infantry
Company G
Washington D. C
Write to me often
Write to me very often
Write to me very soon
Letters to me are dearer
Than loveliest flowers in June
They are affections torches
Lighting of friendships lamp
Flittering around the heart strings
Like fire flies in the damp
Write to me very often
Write in joyous morn
Or get the close of evening
When all the day is gone
Then when the stars are beaming
Bright on the azure sky
When through the fading forest
Coldly the wild winds sigh
Draw up thy little
Clost to the fire and write
Write to me earley in the morning
Or write to me late at night
Write to me very often
Letters are links that bind
Truthful
l hearts to each other
Fettering mind to mind
Living to kindly spirits
Lasting and true delight
If you would strengthen friendship
Never forget to write
[On Envelope:]
Mrs Julia Merrill
Fowlerville Livingston Co
Michigan
