Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/vanvalkenburgh-george-w/
Regiment: 23rd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Davison Center May 17th
Friend George,
Yours of the 2th came to
hand in due time. It came rather unexpectedly
but no less welcome I did not know but you
had forgotten me quite. I was glad to hear of
yours and the rest of the boys good health.
I had a letter since I read yours saying
you were about getting a furlough and was
going to N.B. for a visit. If so I am glad of it.
Em will be wonderful glad to see you and
feel just as bad to see you leave. I shall
be glad when this war is ended so that
you with many others can return home.
And when you get the rebels whipped down
south you can some back and give these
northern copperheads what they deserve.
Hanging is to good for them. They are
worse than the rebels. How I should like
to see Em and the baby. I sometimes
think I like Em as well as one of my own sisters. She is a good woman I have
had many a good visit with her but she
has gone now but if I ever go to N.Y.
I shall go to see her. When you get back
that is if you go I want you to write all
the news. She owes me a letter now.
Mrs. Griffin has been very sick and so has
Charley and Mr. Griffin has lost a horse.
Harry Hacket is at Saginaw to work. Father’s
health is not very good. He has failed
a great deal since you saw him last. I have
a bone to pick with you for not coming to
see me when you were out – was here twice
and never designed to honor me with a call
You have seen something of the world more
than you could if you had staid at home.
You have seen some of the beauties of the
country as well as the beauties of slavery.
They call me a black republican but I
feel proud that I am one. I would not
be anything else for the rest of them
are copperheads. Father has a great time
with them. There is a man in the
tavern now as bad a secesh as ever wicker
was. Ira Smith does not keep store now. I
think him a very enterprising man. He
is as bright as ever. I think we better
send him along down there he compares
with the southerners so well about being
enterprising. I forgot to tell you I am
teaching this summer at the Goodenough
school house. Will taught last winter there.
He ran for school Inspector on the Democrat
ticket but they got well beaten for all
the republican boys are gone. George I believe I shall take up with your advice about getting
married and you must speak a good word
for me to some good soldier. I don’t want
a bade one. Sarah’s man has got his discharge
and is now at home. I sent his likeness
to the boys. Perhaps you saw it. I guess
he is a clever fellow They have not been
out here since he got back. We expect
them before long. I have not much
news to write. If I was home perhaps
I would find something more interesting
to write about. Father does not write letters
very often. He is not much of a hand
to write. Give my love to the boys.
Tell Israel Hill if I was there I would
make him a blackberry pie or I would
bring my shaker full of apples and we
would have a pairing apples bee. You must write
all the news. I like to hear from the
boys that are away and if you think
this worth answering I should be glad
to have you write soon. No more for this
time. I forgot to tell you that wheat looks
very well indeed. This is the best kind of
weather for wheat. Cherry, apple and plum
trees are all in blossoms and if the frost
does not kill them there will be an
abundance of fruit this season. This is
the third letter that I have written
today. No more for this time I say again
and close wishing you good night.
[ ? ]
George Van
