Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/winchell-edward-a/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 7th/64
Dear Sister Mary
I wrote you a
letter last Sunday and as it has
been one week since it is time for
me to write again if I intend to
keep my promise, which I most assuredly
do for I have all day Sundays to write in.
Last Sunday I wrote to Mother, Will,
and your self but I have received no
answer yet. I expected one from Will
to day but I have been to lazy to go
to the office so I guess it is my own fault
not receiving an answer. I expect one from
you some time this week for I supose you
did not get my letter untill Friday oweing
to you being away at school. I also wrote
one to Millie but did not send it for
I did not know wether I should remain
here. they told us that we would have
to take an oath to obey all of our
superiors and rather than do that I would
leave but there has been nothing more
said about it so I guess I will remain
here for a spell at any rate.
I dont like Nashville at all it is
a miserable city and there is very little
business done here except by the government
the streets are very narrow and filthy
in consequence of of so many teams
passing yesterday two government
teams met in one of the narrow
streets and being unable to pass each
other the road soon became blocked
up and the travel on that street
was done for the day they were
obliged to back the teams out
by hand so you can judge how it
makes the bity look there are three
or four very nice streets but the most
of them are as I have said, are very narrow.
I commenced this letter at noon
but was unable to finish it on
account of the heat but this evening
it is raining and of course some
cooler and I think I will be able to
finish the letter before the mosquitoes
come around if I do not good bye letter
for tonight as soon as it is dark one
needs both hands to defend himself
with. The Nashville Dispatch states that
the mosquitoes are so bad that the
faces of the people look like yellow
charts of the world with the cities on
it marked in relief and it is just
about so there are more mosquitoes
here than I ever thought could be
in any one place. I dont pretend to
sleep until about four oclock in
the morning when it gets a little cool
and the birdies (as Will call them) are not
quite so troublesome and then I can
sleep with some degree of comfort untill
six when I have to get up but I make
up for the loss of sleep between hours
during the day. I sent a photograph
of Curtis to you in my last letter but
I guess you will hardly think it
worth keeping, it was so much soiled
by carrying in my pocket, but nevertheless
keep it untill my return. There is a very
pretty young lady siting on a stoop on the other side
of the street from where I am writing and in
her mouth is a stick about four inches
long which every now and then she takes
out and rolls in a snuff box and puts it
back seeming to enjoy it hugely she is
chewing snuff that is the way they
manage it. I would like to kiss her
for I think her breath must be
very sweet. Oh! There is a bird on my face
so you will have to excuse me writing any
more. My love to all hoping this will find
you enjoying as good health as it leaves me I
remain as ever your affectionate Brother
Edward A. Winchell. To his sister Mary
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary T. Winchell
Drayton Plains
Oakland Co.
Mich
Care of T.S. Christian
