Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/whitworth-herbert/
Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Received Feb. 16″ 1864
Camp Moreland
Feb. the 12 ’64
Dear Friend Herbert
I will now improve on my
time for a few moments in writing
to you to let you know that we are
all well and enjoying our selves verry
well indeed.
We left Nashville the next
Wednesday morning. We met a fellow
at the Depot that we was all well acquainted
with he was a going to our camp with a
lot of provision. We arived at the end
of the railroad a bout noon. he had ten
four mule teames a waiting to take the
stuf to camp . he was happy to have our
company. we were about half way that
night some of the boys stade to a little
vilage that was near but Johnie and I
stayed and slept in one of the wagons
quite comfortable. the drivers were
all negroes they had plenty of bacon
coffee and hardtac that they shared
with us. in the morning we started
about sunrise arived in camp about noon
they wer all happy to see us. Hedie in
peticular we found him well but rather
lonesome. he said that he had been very
lonely since he left us. we found our
camp situated in the woods in a very
pleasant place. we havent drill any yet
our guns came today. we have been to work
this week monday was our first day. they
set us to unloading railroad ties. untill yester
day. there was seven of us to unload four
wagons they had to draw them a bout threefour
ths of a mi. yesterday they set us a getting
out ties we have to get out ten Tuesday if
we can do it before eleven oclock yesterday
I made thirteen before eleven ten for myself
and three for Johnie and Hedie they got
out right a piece the Liutenant told them
that they had done enough. you know
that I have worked on a farm therefore
I understand chopping. the men get in
before noon every day they they do what
they please the remainder of the day
I like it tip top and rations are very good
we have plenty of good pickled pork and
bacon good coffee and tea buiscuit rice
beanes ocasionly friedcakes and chickens
once or twise a week. molasses and sugar
there is plenty of chickens turkeys geese ducks
and a sheep around our camp our cook
help themselves our squad has a cook by
the month and he is a good one. he under
stands it well. there was a sad accident
hapen in our camp last Sabath. two of the
picket guards was practicing bayonet exer-
-cise with loaded guns when the lock of one
gun caught in his coat pulled the hammer
up when it went down the gun went of shot
the other through the right lung and the whole
charge went through him he lived about three
hours only
I must conclude by sending
you my best wishes hoping that
this will find you well and enjoying
your self as well as we are.
Hedie and Johnie send their best
respects and wishes they say every day
that they wish Herbert were here
We intend to move down towards
the river about 6 mo next week they
say that we are a comeing down when you
are in about three months.
Please write soon
remember me to the Friends
in Michigan when you write
From Your Friend
James C. Wallis
