Shafer, Marion A. – January 14, 1864

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/shafer-marion-a/
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