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Regiment: 1st Michigan Engineers
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Algoma May 22”, 1864
My Precious Brother,
This is Sabbath morning
and every thing seems to be
enjoying the rest that this
blessed day affords It is
truly a beautiful morning
and if the heart was not
weighted down with sorrow, &
anxiety, we might rejoice in
the beauties which nature aff-
ords us As yet we have recei-
ved no tidings from our dear
Will, where he is and under
what circumstances is known
only to him who knoweth all
things I think some times he
must be killed or wounded
and again I think his life
has hitherto been preserved
and he may yet live God grant
that he may for it would
be a death blow to our united
family Mother & Father have
been almost bowed down with
care & anxiety during the past
week Yours of the 11” inst, came
to hand on the 20” and I
assure you it is a source of
great pleasure to me to penn
those pages that are written
by the hand of a dear & aff.
Brother But I supose you will
want to know something in re-
gard to my school Mr Pettin-
gill came after on Sabbath evening
on Monday morning I started
out to comence my duties but
when I arrived there and saw
what I had not the least idea
of seeing, in spite of myself
the tears did for a moment
find a place in my eyes; but
I dashed them away &
began to look arround me
for a broom but not a vestige
of one could I find arround
the premises I started out
to one of the neighbours & succeed
in getting one came back & com-
menced to work I sweept out
without a single doubt a pick
of dirt & finaly made out to
get a peep at the floor so
you have a history of my final
day at school I have had
14 scholars this week which
is as may as I expected as they
always have a small school in
the summer I have taught six
days this week & walked a mile
and a half every night & morning
I am going to board at Mrs Turner
this week I am going to have
my contract this week & then
I will inform you in regard
to my wages We have had another
letter from Helen Robinson her
husband has been to England the
past winter there son Wm has
been home but has inlisted again
old Mr Patterson is gone I read the
notice of his death last eve..
half past seven I have first returned
from Laph, & have listened to 2 funeral
sermons this afternoon B. Swift preached
Peters R from the 2” book of Peter 3” chapt
& 11” verse I think it was the best I ever
heard him preach the other was Mr
Ackles I felt very much cast down for
I thought we cannot tell how soon we
may be called to mourn but let
us lift our hearts in prayer for
strength I have not much news to write
this time the weather during the past
week has been warm enough for July
the trees are all dressed in green
our corn is up nicely J. Baker has
to plant his all over again 13 acres
I have had to teach without any time piece
this week & shall until I can send to
town my watch stoped the second day
of my school & I could not get it to go
again to write if your letters do not
come as soon as we expect we shall think
that you have not had time I must
draw to a close for it is getting dark
& I am getting to the end of my sheet
with much love from all & many
prayers for you believe me dear
H. to be your loving Em
This is a piece of my new dress
I want to know if you wear any
stripes to distinguish you from the rest
What are you doing now, do you have to go out of camp
to work?
Charley has cut these verses
out of a paper wants me to inclose
them to you
Mrs Joseph Upson came a short time
ago to make us a visit & wished
me to give their kind regards to you
