Grand Rapids Dec 15 1861 My own Loved Gardner, It has been a beautiful day. but not a bit like any December I ever saw before. The sun has shine all day and it has been comfortably warm for the last few days. The lilac trees in our garden are all budding.
Clark, Gardner B. – December 11, 1861
Grand Rapids Dec 11/61 My own Dear Gardner, I recieved a letter and three papers from you this afternoon. I think that picture of the grand review of the troops is beautiful I would have given a great deal to have seen it. You say that December does not seem like December.
Clark, Gardner B. – November 28, 1861
Camp of Instruction Berdans U.S.S.S. Washington Nov. 28th 1861 My Own Dear Mary, Our Lieut. Col has bade us Good Bye. Whatever path he or us may hereafter persue they will probably never more intermingle.
Clark, Gardner B. – November 24, 1861
Camp of Instruction Berdans U.S. Sharp Shooters Washington D.C. Nov. 24th 1861 My Own Dear Mary, The Church bell are ringing right merrily this morning. the air is clear and still and it seems more like Grand Rapids than any thing else I have seen.
Clark, Gardner B. – November 3, 1861
Camp of Instruction Nov 3rd 1861 My Darling Mary; A kiss and perhaps a dozen for you to night. at any rate if I was with you. I would try to see how a kiss would taste. the two months and a half that I have been here without a single one seemes more like the same number of years
Clark, Gardner B. – October 30, 1861
Camp of Instruction Oct 30th/61 My own dear Mary: I feel somewhat lonesome this eve am thinking of old times and scenes. what times those were the three years my home was with you almost daily your face was before me
Clark, Gardner B. – October 20, 1861
Grand Rapids Oct 20/61 Dear Gardner; I have just got home to night and found a couple of letters waiting for me they came last night I received that pictur and the fold dollar and thank you very much for them I do not think the pictur is a very bad one, although I have seen better.
Clark, Gardner B. – October 18, 1861
S.S Camp of Instruction Berdans U.S. Washington Oct 18th 1861 Dear Mary: A few words to you this morning it rained all night and is pretty warm now. that picture I send with this I could not help looking cross the artist tried his best to have me get that scowl out of my forehead
Clark, Gardner B. – October 9, 1861
Mortown Oct 9 1861 Absent Son we rec your letter Oct 1 we were very glad to hear from you again we are all well as usual I have spun ton knotts to night
Clark, Gardner B. – September 29, 1861
U.S. Capitol. Washington D.C. Sept. 29th 1861 Dear Mary: “I am well.” Before this reaches you, you will get all kinds of reports about last nights proceedings but you will not get the truth. unless by accident so I will give you a history of the last twenty four hours
Clark, Gardner B. – September 27, 1861
Washington D.C. Sept. 27th/61 Dear Mary; U.S. Capitol. I should rather have dated this some where in Virginia if I only knew where I only know that we are near the chain Bridge. we crossed the river last Saturday laid out in the rain that night. got wet clean through and back again.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 17, 1861
Washington D.C. Sept 17th 1861 Dear Mary: “Across the Potomac” Hurrah! that is the order for tomorrow we go over for a few days the Col. and then come back but when we get over we dont come back very soon you may depend that we will have a big fight before this month is out.
Clark, Gardner B. – September 16, 1861
Monday morning Sept 16th 1861 I have been out foraging this morning and found found some roses in the garden of a man who is a captain in the Confederate army three roses and a morning glory. Pleas accept them with much love Gardner B. Clark
Clark, Gardner B. – September 4, 1861
Weehawken, N.J. Sept. 4th, 1861 Dear Mary, “On to Washington” is our order. Tonight at 6 o’clock it will deprive me of your letters. If you have received mine, and wrote, which of course you have. I have not had a moments spare time since Sunday. Was on guard a part of Sunday and night and Monday night all night
Clark, Gardner B. – August 24, 1861
Grand Rapids Aug 24/61 Dear Brother Gardner: I have just received your letter and will answer it and hope you will get it. I am very sorry you are sick and you must get well as soon as you can. I thank the boys very much for taking such good care of you and hope you will never find worse.
Clark, Gardner B. – June 19, 1861
Sparta Kent Co. Mich June 19th /61 Dear Friend Mary I was so glad to receive another little [ ? ] in your handwriting There has been a prolonged silence between us two. I have very often felt that I ought to write you, But do not know what I have not.
Clark, Gardner B. – April 27, 1861
Grand Rapids Apr 27 1861. My Own Loved Gardner. It is quite cold to day and the wind blows some, but with that exception it is quite plesant. There is no need sf letting you we are all well for it is [ ? ] that we should be.