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Regiment: 18th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Lexington Hospital No 1
March 1 1863
Dear Hattie
[ ? ] I am yet not
dead or taken by the Rebbels but still
laying arround the Hospital
I recd a letter from you yesterday
dated the 18 I should have had it
nearly a week ago bud did not get it
I expected to have one about the middle
of the week and got disapointed these too
perhaps you did not write one on Sunday
or it might have gone to the Regiment
which it would do if there was no one
at the PO (from our Reg) to claim the Reg
mail & sort out what is to be left here
I heard last night that the 18
th was expected
to be back here to day but dont put any
confidance in it for we hear so many stories
with no truth in them that we cant tell what to
believe until we see it with our own eyes
I heard to that the Rebs were within 3
miles of Danville we hear all sorts of stories
& I suppose you do too but dont believe more
than half you hear believe me safe at all
events. I wrote you a letter Sunday and one
Wednesday giving all the news I could hear
of & a short one Wednesday afternoon telling
you to send letters to the Hosp instead of the
Reg we hear a great deel of news some
is contradicted before night verry little comes
true this morn we hear the Rebs camped
Friday night 3 miles Danville preparing to atact
forces there we hear they are at Winchester
& at Mt Stearling & at Richmond. if these are
all true the Rebs have quite a force here but you
wil hear of a move in a few day that wil cut them
all off and make them wish they wer in Dixie
again if what I hear is true
we have had but two pleasant days this
week tuesday & Friday Thursday night it
rained like
[ ? ] Friday was a very nice
day yesterday forenoon Ditto but in the after
noon clouded up & rained all night this morn
is cold & cloudy but the Sun tries hard to shine
Monday Morning
perhaps you think I droped off
rather sudden on my letter yesterday
but the Dinner Bell rung & I had
to start came back from Dinner
sat down by the stove & got to sleep
when I woke did not feel like
writing & could not think of anything
to write I have been trying my
best to find out where the 18 is but
the more I try the less I know
about it yesterday morn they wer at
Mt Stearling at noon near Richmond. at Supper
time on their way to cumberland river.
in the evening at Somersett. this
morn 10 miles beyond Nicholasville 22
miles from here & 12 miles this side Danville
amongst all the stories it is hard to
make up my mind where they are
I hope the last one is true for I
shal begin to think they are comeing
back here the Sun made out to
Shine about an hour yesterday afternoon
this morning the sun rose clear &
pleasant but it has all clouded over
now & is almost cold enough to snow
you say you have not seen any spring
birds yet this morn they wer singing
merily I hear them every day or two
but I could enjoy their music much
better at home with other music to
mix in with it dont you think so
while I am writeing a Brigade of Ohio
troops are passing on the next street
there is quite a force here now enough so
that all feel safe from the Rebs
I have no news to write now but
have to hear something of importance
by the middle of the week my health
continues the same but I get verry
lonesome here I wish I could be
at home instead of here if I wer I
should probaly stay write to me
soon give respects to Friends love to
you & boy from your afectionate Husband
S. R. Norton
[On Envelope:]
Mrs Hattie E. Norton
Adrian
Mich
Care K.S. Beals
