User Tools

Site Tools


1st_michigan_infantry_sources

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Last revision Both sides next revision
1st_michigan_infantry_sources [2019/08/06 13:07]
admin
1st_michigan_infantry_sources [2019/08/06 13:11]
admin
Line 288: Line 288:
 https://​www.excelsiorbrigade.com/​products/​details/​LTR-540 https://​www.excelsiorbrigade.com/​products/​details/​LTR-540
  
 +
 +----
 +
 +Letter of Abner Van Dyke
 +
 +Camp Michigan,​\\ ​
 +Annapolis Junction, Maryland,​\\ ​
 +Jan. 31st.
 +
 +Mr. Editor:
 +
 +On this mild morning the last day of January, at the risk of wearying your readers with my uninteresting notes, I will send you a few items, which have transpired since I last wrote.
 +
 +We have been having very disagreeable weather for a long time past, raining nearly every day, and so muddy that we could not leave our quarters, without being loaded down with "​mortar;"​ but the sun is now shining for the first time in about a week, and it looks like the face of a faithful friend, "​fairest when seen in darkest day." As his first rays, pierced the gloomy clouds, and fell upon the window before me, I felt like exclaiming with Milton, "Hail holy light! offspring of Heaven first born!"
 +
 +The people here inform me that February is generally a pleasant month; I hope it is for we are getting tired of being cooped up in barracks and drilling in the manual of arms. We long to go out into the fields and breathe the pure air of Heaven once more. The health of the regiment has improved a little of late, and as the new hospital is now finished, and the sick moved there, they will be very- comfortable,​ and I trust the Est of names on the "​sick-book"​ will soon diminish. Our Surgeon, Dr. Turnicliff and his assistants, are very kind and attentive and do all they can to banish disease and death.
 +
 +I think when the weather becomes more settled, it will be healthier. We need more exercise in the open air, and a greater variety of scenery; in proof of this, I will simply state, that the companies out on the Railroad, acting as "​picket guard,"​ enjoy much better health than those in camp. Men who have spent most of their Eves in out door occupations (as most of them have,) cannot long retain their vigor when forced to stay in barracks and listen to the cry of "​shoulder—arms!"​ and other commands equally tiresome, when so often repeated A forward movement would do more for the health of the general Army, than all the medicines which the Surgeons can prescribe. But just now such a move is impossible, so we must "learn to drill, and wait for something to turn up."
 +
 +At the court-martial,​ recently held at the Colonel'​s headquarters,​ several pretty hard cases were tried, and their sentences were read on dress parade a few morning'​s since. One Beegan, who had become notorious among us for his "​dare-devil"​ courage, was dishonorably discharged from the service of the United States, and sentenced to the penitentiary at Washington, for one year at hard labor. I think the punishments which these offenders receive will have a good effect upon others who are disposed to break the peace and disobey orders. Verily, "the way of the transgressor is hard." With a very few exceptions, we have a very peaceable and orderly regiment, and I hope the guard house will have fewer inmates for the future.
 +
 +Capt. Withington, of the old Michigan First, has been released, and is expected here today on his way home. We are preparing give him a suitable reception.
 +
 +Yours truly,
 +
 +Abner Van Dyke
 +
 +Co. E, 1st Michigan Infantry.
 +
 +
 +And the generations yet unborn, will bless the heroes name: letters and poetry of Abner Van Dyke, 1st Michigan Infantry, 25th Michigan Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops\\ ​
 +https://​governingmichigan.org/​collections/​view-item/?​DMaliaslist=p16110coll4&​DMItem=35
  
 ---- ----
1st_michigan_infantry_sources.txt · Last modified: 2019/08/06 13:14 by admin