VanValkenburgh, George W. – August 26, 1863

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/vanvalkenburgh-george-w/
Regiment: 23rd Michigan Infantry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Davison County Aug 1863 Friend Geo. I recd your excellent letter some time since and probably you think I do not intend to ans it but such I assure you is not the case. I will not fill my letter with excuses but will promise to be more punctual in the future. My school closed and I am now home. My health is very good. I got a letter from Lester today said you were at Lebanon did not say whether you were sick or not. Father is not very well says tell George the negroes will be more thought of here than a copperhead. He is very much against them, battles them every chance he can get. And so they ought to be. Eliza is here now. She has been to the state of N.Y. over two years. She sends her best respects and says if she had been a man she would have been in the army before this time. Often speaks of Ella. Ann had a letter from Emily. She was well and the little one too. Told Ann to tell me Oscar was not drafted but Tim was I rather think they had not better draft him. If I thought they would I’d petition to Gov. Seymour to stop the draft. Mary is at the Drs. She is very poorly this summer, is confined to her bed. She was weighed last week and her weight has only 75 pounds. It seems too bad to see her wasting away so. There is some stickness about but not a great deal yet. Corn looks very well Oats seem to yield well, but wheat did not do much. all are doing well now promise a good crop if the rot does not affect them. Dr. John Bolind got a discharge or a furlough. Some say he only got a furlough. Jas Kitchen and the Bush boys have gone to the copper mines or some where else. People think that they are running to get out of the draft. They ought not to have a country if they cannot stand by her when she is in distress. If a friend of mine runs in that way from his country he runs from me for if he is not true to her I should not expect he would be to me. Jay is at the hospital in Cincinnatti with the inflammation in his eyes. You have been in Uncle Sam’s service a year the time seems short I hope the war will close before long I rather think it will Father is quite encouraged about it now. Have not drafted here yet. Mrs. Long has been sick and her baby and fits but they are both better now Mr. Withere was buried last Sat I heard he died from the effects of strong drink Dr. said the linings of his stomach were eaten up I do not know much about the people around for I have been away all summer it does not seem right not to have Em here I hope that when you get home from the war you will buy a farm near here You’ll forget how to hector me by that time maybe Oh dear what a tease you used to be, throwing notes on me by the dipper full and how provoked I used to get but that did not do one bit of good I have not seen or heard from the Olmsteads since you went away Charley Mc has been home on a visit but has gone back now Elder Smart has got home safe and sound He ought to draw a pension the rest of his life He was so good to stand by the boys in sickness and in health I believe that is what he said at the war meeting. There is a great many in Flint that won’t go to hear him preach since he got back. I hop you won’t wait as long as I did before you write No more at present Write all the news. Our boys do not write to me very often There is so many girls to write to that I do not expect they will like to get letters from the soldiers They are so interesting Give my respects to all inquiring friends. Good night. From your friend H. A. McAllister George W. Van