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Regiment: 7th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, Joseph E. Johnston, William T. Sherman
Seventh Mich. Cav.
Near Petersburg Va
April 21st 1865
Dear People – Yesterday
quite sudden – as you perhaps
might have noticed – just at that
time I heard them blow “pack up”
We moved only about a mile –
now we are right on the sub
of the city. have a very good camp
and are in our tents doing nothing
for me I have been eating nearly
all the A.M. You see we haven’t had
much to eat for several days – for
some reason unknown to me – so
yesterday I sent Smith into Petersburg
to purchase something good to eat – upon
which we might have a feast – he done
well – brought us cheese dried beef – onions
potatoes pickles +c. and last night we
drew a supply of good rations – so we
are all right again – We can buy anytime now
yesterday I mentioned that it looked
like rain threatened rain very much
last night but yet it hasent rained
yet – but yet looks some like it
Our Cavalry are all in camp over
hear are not dooing much nothing
we might say – dress parades – and
the like – we know as little when
we shall be mustered out as you
do, we are inclined to think that
in a few days we will go to
Washington and in due course of
time be mustered out – or sent to
our state – I havent seen to days
paper yet. Yesterdays paper stated
that
Johnston had surrendered his
army to
Sherman. It is quite warm
today. so hot that I feel indisposed to
run around much – toards night I
shall make a visite to the work
that is if we dont move
such may be the case – Satis berie
We are a great way from home
and small bodies moove slow
sow we don’t expect to be home
right off – we have hopes of being
home before the 4th of July – so we do
paroled prisoners are at their
homes around here – and as docile
as lambs – I never had much sympathy
for a
Johnnie but now I am willing
to submit to such measures as those
in power see fit to make – in regard
to the final settlement of this war.
My feelings are sometimes to crush them
out. the mean curris – that starved
our prisoners – and committed such
deeds as they did upon the dead body
of Col Dalgren. I presume it is best
to forget all such things. and bring
them back to law and order – the best
and quickest way we can.
I am sorry that Lincoln is dead –
and
evry body seems to be so –
Frank – has just gone out for
a paper – Oh! yes
Ed Lockwood
he is all right again has been trans
– ferred back to this regiment – and
so you see he is clear of the Infantry
Tis now about 1 O’clock – and
quite warm – Petersburg as viewed
from here – seems to be along
and narrow City with several
thousand inhabits – I can count
four church spires – the trees are
now so green that one cant see
far – Water is very good here – You
about my boots +c. – they are a good
pair as I ever bought they are soft
as new – and have been through so
much surely and water without
greasing – I shall purchace of him after
this – I have the same horse that
I drew from Uncle Sam last
November
he has carried me through all this
camp aigin – where thousands of others
gave out. and now he is getting
to look nice again – is sheding his
coat – he would always eat all
I gave him if it was a bushel
of oats – and I always gave him
all the feed I could get hold of
No uncommon thing for him to eat 100
ears of corn – Frank hasent got
back with those papers yet –
Will write more perhaps –
Respect to the W Bud
