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Regiment: 7th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Evening 14th Jan 1864
Part Second
Night once more, and again I am a
lone – as the 9th has gone out to see the women
of which there is a right smart lot around
here. The young
lady (Miss Freeman) that
I wrote about being sick, in my last letter
to you, died just at dark to night. she
had the measles – involving the lungs severly
as she had several attacks of hemorrhage of the
lungs – My measely patients are all up and
nearly recovered – excep a cough. and I will
have that all right soon. I don’t have mush
practice just now all though a lot of our
boys will come down here (a mile or more)
to get me to put up medicines for their various
complaints. George Martin, the judges son
thinks that I am just old percin on the
pills as I have cured him once of the
bloody flu – George is a good boy –
And a gentleman if there is such
a being in the army. I see an other
Eagle this morning – I found no name
on it any where. but from the subscription
on the envelope – I made up my mind that
it was from Sallie much obliged sis
Corp. Weston was here to see me to day
we had a good chat – he invited me over
to his “shebang” to eat oisters in a day
or so. I have been very quiet this day – and
have had but little to doo – I read that Eagle
through and then a book “nothing to doo”.
The threatened rain has not yet come
and my opinion is that it wont right
away. the weather was quite moderate
thawing in the roads – considerable – but not
enough to injure the good wheeling – My opinion
is now that we will have
a long spell of
weath
=
er. This month is nearly half gone. and
so quick that it seems but yesterday
that I made the first 1864. something
that I never done before – as I know of
I suppose that you anxiously look
in evry paper for some war news – from
us down here – but I guess you will look
in vain for any of my moment, as twill
be all quiet on the
[ ? ] – at least tis
so just now – and I have no idea that any
change will be made befor time for the
army to moove. which wont be much bfore
April if then – There is no use of talking about
an army – moving and fighting – all winter
because it cant be did – Nothing under Heaven
would so demoralise an army as to have to
stand the hard ships of winter fighting –
15th Jan 1864 – 10 – A.M.
It did not freeze any last night
somewhat fogy this moning – air
cool and damp – Nothing new this
morning – I think that it will freeze
up – and be colder – now. It is rather
to muddy out – so I guess I will
keep in – unless I am obliged to
go out. Dr. Richards has applied
for a leave of absence of 15 days
to go to his home in Mich –
Dead horses are plenty all around
here – and unburied – if crows haint
prety thick next spring – twill be very
unhealthy. But it cant be any
otherwise. for a horse dies and the
ground is frozen so hard that it is
impossible to dig a hole – and so it
has to lay top of ground. I haven’t
heard anything about pay yet. although
tis time. but I dont care much. I
had just as live wait untill March
and then get 6 months pay – will
have a lump. If I had been home
I think that I would have taken a
hundred dollar County bond – for
five years. I believe that would be
a safe investment – but I suppose
it is to late now. I have arranged
my medicines – all nicely on shelves
and have quite a drug store. have
on hand 55 Botts Quinine – 12 lbs
5pts Nitre
[ ? ] 36 – brandy
[ ? ] whisky
and most everything else you can
think of – But I must close or there
wont be room for the authors nick
name which is
Bud
Write soon
Part 3d
14th January 1864
I did not send this out to
day as I intended. last night
but I thought that I would wait
untill tomorrow which is Satur
day. Tis now about 3 o’clock
at night did not freeze any
last night. and has been
verry muddy all day. but
to night is clear and will
freze hard I think. This day
is the facsimile of yesterday to
me “the buisey days are long”
the days are short and not
verry buisey – I shant write much
to night because I want to finish
that Eagle that I rec to night – of
date Jan 7th I find lots of news
in it – and twill do me a bunch
of good to read it. My thanks Miss
Sally – this makes 3 that I have
that I have rec of late. I will
write a little more in the morning
and then send this off. Good night
Saturday morning 16th Jan 64
It froze quite hard last night
the sun shines bright this morning
I am here alone now, as the Lt
has been ordered back to his
camp – All is quiet so far as
I know – I shall expect a letter from
some of you now verry soon –
I forgot to tell you before now that
my hair is a great deal darker
than it was before it came out
nearly black – and about the same
thickness Write soon – with news
+c Hopeing this will find evry
thing all right. I will close by
saying good morning – and
sleigh rides
Resp Bud
P.S. I don’t never “proof read” my letters
so excuse all mistakes Bud