Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/wasson-thomas/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
1862 Camp Benton St. Louis, Mo.
Jan the 18
Respected friend it was with pleasure that I received your letter of the 7 which I received
last Friday for I was glad to hear from you. I contained a good deal to interest me for
there is nothing that transpires there but is of interest to me, I would like to except your
offer to take supper with you to night for it is cold as Greenland. The ground is bare and
it is frozen hard as it can be and the wind blows like fury. There is no trees to stop its
force so that it would almost blow us away. It is so cold that our bread was frozen
hard. You seldom see as cold a day up there as today has been. I thought my
fingers would freeze to my gun when we were out drilling for I must tell you we
have got colts revolving rifles. They are five shooters. They are a find article and
now we are mounted rifle men. We have also got new boots. The other boys are all
well I believe. I think the boys conduct inexcusable but when it gets to be good sleighing
they will make up for lost time. I think your Christmas load was rather a curious lead for
that neighborhood. I think that the boys might have been opposition to you and got up a
load of themselves. I wish I wish, I could be home there a bout a week when the
sleighing gets good. It is very dull here now for it is so cold but you must not think that I
am home sick for I never though of any such thing.
I was almost a shamed of my letter when I got yours for you are so much better than me.
There is no news here for me to write but bad spelling and scribbling, you must excuse.
A word more and I must close. I was talking with a man the other day. He was five
months in the Southern army. He says he never received any close nor money as
soon as he got free he came here to take the oath of fidelity to our government. He is
sick of Secession. He was at the battle of Fredrickstown and he says he cont want to
see another. I trust you will answer this soon as you get it. This leaves me well and I
hope it will find you the same. Tell me how the young folks gets along.
Consider me your true friend until you hear from me again
Thomas Wasson
