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Regiment: 23rd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Newmarket, KY Oct 30th 1862
Affectionate Brother
This being the first favorable opportunity that I have had to answer
your letter of Oct 11th. I do so now move readily as you have heard
by Tom Sorrel or others that I was on the sick list and you seemed to
be just lined to believe that I was a trying to conceal it from you as
it was the – that ailed me. I did not think it worth while to make
any great fuss about it. Believe me I shall not try to conceal it from
you. When I am sick here after you need not borrow any trouble on that
score. I now wish to state the whole particulars to you while I was at
Louisville and on guard. I was taken with the ague and while the fever
was in its full height in it towards night, we were ordered to march
and I being unwilling to give up as sick knowing that there would be
none wiling to fill my place as guard, as it is hard work. After
marching a piece in the night, to then stand on guard, so marched
right through and a short distance only. But were put on double quick
and with my load and fever two, it almost burnt me to death seemingly
and then to put on the climax on. I like a willing slave atood my
tower and guard when to stand up was impossible and if they had
offered to shoot me for sitting down on my post that night it would
have been all the same to me, for I should have done it and said
welcome death. But after getting so heat up and stoping so anden. I
took a violent cold on my lungs which has caused a severe cough ever
since and I have had the ague off and on ever since. But the regiment
has not made one single march without my going with it and one time I
was one of eighteen in company D that went to their destined place.
But to cut a long story short I feel better to day than I have for two
weeks before and I feel quite encouraged. I expect we shall be for a
while and you may not hear from me for some time as it is impossible
to send a letter while we are on the march. I will enclose in this a
letter for Emily Shults which you will please give to her and oblige
me, you gave an account of all of the money that I sent you. Direct
as before. I remain your affectionate brother.
H. G. Sherman
