Potter, Charles H. – November 17, 1861

Michigan Civil War Collection


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/potter-charles-h/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: St. Louis Missouri Camp Benton Nov 17th 1861 Dear Parents I take this opportunity to let you know how I like my new home so far away from home. we had a fine time on our way here. When we got to Detroit they had supper all ready for us evry thing nice they fill our Cantin with lager beer & give us Cigars & every thing else that we wanted. when we got to marshall we saw our friends which we were glad to see of course. we got to Decater 6 Oclock Friday morning Direct your letters to St. Louis MO. Benton Barracks Care of Capt Dickey Co M. 2nd Reg. Mich Cav’l Charles Henry Potter St Louis well now I tell you we had a nice time there you better believe the companies all got off and came out on dress parade the ladies came out and mar- the whole length of the soldiers & shook hands & kiss evry one of them. we then got on to the cars. & went to miles the we got our breakfast and treated the same way by the ladies we fill our knapsacks full with profusion which have lasted untill now. we then went on to Michigan City there we got dinner and saw lots of people lake Michigan was something I never saw before. I am not g going to tell all the sights & scenes that we see on the road. there was crowds of people at evry station to see the michigan cavalry go through we took supper that night at Jolliette went through springfield & arrived at alton Illinois. the next morn took the steam boat then & went to St. Louis Mo. We have got a pleasant place here I would like to have you come out here & see our camp ground is a splendid place. the horses have not got here yet all of them there is 12.000 men here now it is some different from camp Anderson. Well I guess I will close my letter for I dont feel much like writing the boys are all well accept some of them have got bad colds. Direct your letter I like this place much better I will try and write more next time C.H. Potter