Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/potter-charles-h/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Steam Boat Sam Gaty
Mississippi River
April 19th 1862
Dear Father
I received your
letter last monday morning
and was very glad to hear
that your were all well. I
should have written before
but being on the boat I could
not send it off. the boys are
all well except Ira and he
is on his way home I expect
before this time he left
our boat thursday last &
took the Rob Roy for St –
Louis & then he is a going
to get a furlow and go
right on home his dission
is the Janders I suppose
you all know what that
is this infarnel boat wigels
so I cant hardly write.
Frank Hooker has got a
Calomel sore mouth getting
better I believe now.
I am tought as ever now
I was sick about two weeks
first I had the ague then
the intermediate fever I dont
believe I should got well
if
[ ? ] hadent lived on the boat
so long where I can get
something to eat once in a
while by paying 50 cts. a
meal the cook on the boat
sells 6 brisket for 25 cts. you
have to pay for things when
you get them here, we got
on board of the steamer
the 13
th sunday night
monday morning Chan came
in the cabin & gave me
your letter I had given
up all hopes of getting it
very soon.
We left New Madrid at
noon monday & started for
Memphis went down the River
about 40 miles & received orders
to turn back, we turned around
and went back to a place
called tiptonville stayed there
untill thursday last & started
again down the river went
that day untill night the
next morning we turned
around again & have been
going up the river ever
since we shall land at
Cairo to night where I
shall mail this letter &
we go from there up the
tennessee river so the
officers say, there has some
five or six of our company
gone home on furlows I
think I will stand it untill
I get my discharge. I havent
done any duty yet but
expect to in a few days.
We got our pay just before we
left New Madrid & we needed
it to, L. Grand Dean is well,
Frank Baton wants you to
tell his folks that he is
well, this sheet is about full
give my love to all.
Direct to Cairo Yours truly
& they will follow C. H. Potter
the Regiment all right. Write
soon
those stamps came all right
tell the boys to take care
of them selves Harm & Ella
