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https://micivilwar.com/authors/winchell-edward-a/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Hunting Creek Oct 24th 1861
Dear Bro Add,
I received your letter in due time
and having time this afternoon
I thought that I could not
pass the time to better
advantage than by answering
your letter I was on picket
when I received your letter
and that is the reason why I
did not answer it before
we went out on Sunday
and was not relieved untill
Thursday. Wednesday night
was the coldest night we
have had this fall I had
a bottle of sweet oil in my haversack
and it was thick in the morning
so you may know how cold
it was. The post on which I was
stationed was about five miles
from Mount Vernon in the
valley of Springdale.
About a week ago the 2
nd and 3
rd
Michigan regiments went out
on a reconnaissance about 14 miles
and back which makes 28 miles
which we walked in about 9 hours
including stoppages that is what
I call fast walking. You say
that you think Tom Beard is
a little sorry that he enlisted
I suppose that they took two
days to march that 35 miles
in. We have practiced carrying
knapsacks for about 2 hours every
day I guess in we are a going to
march in a short time.
I have not got my little pipe
yet nor will I ever get it
I have not had a pipe since
before I wrote to you about it
you say that you can send me
a pipe and some tobacco.
I think it would cost
you more to send them than
they are worth you need not send
any drawers or stockings I guess
we will get some before cold
weather. I dont think you had
better send the pipe but if you
do send it I wish you would
send a pair of gloves warm
and high and find out how
much an India ruber blanket
lined with canton flannel
costs here they cost from 2 ½ to 3 ½
dollars I guess Uncle Geiger
can tell you. Are you sure that
the express can carry to this side
of the Potomac. I owe Mary
a letter but do not fill
like writing so she will have
to wait. Give my love to
all of the folks
Good Bye
From Ed
[On Envelope:]
A. H. Winchell
Detroit
Box 484
Mich