5th Michigan Infantry

Item LTR-10426

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


Headquarters, 5th Michigan Volunteers

March 11th 1863

Dear Mother,

I have not received a letter from you in a long time. But then I presume you have written, perhaps several times and the letters have been lost.

Lieutenant Waldron came yesterday and brought me that box and I don’t know how I can thank you enough for it. Until I get home so guess I won’t try anything is sure. I could not if I had been there myself, told you of anything that I wanted that you did not think of yourself and put in all the boys say. It is the best box that has come to the regiment yet. And I tell them it is no wonder that it is so for my Mother and sisters put it up. Everything was all sound except the writing paper that was spoiled by one of the cans leaking a little and running out on it. But it is not much matters, as I can buy lots of paper here now. I am coming home before long. That is my chance is pretty good at present. Then I will thank you.

There has a man gone over to the 24th Regiment today and I have sent with him for my boots. When I get them, shall be all sound. I will write again tomorrow and let you know if he gets them. But I feel about certain that he will.

The Colonel was just in to see me and he says that I shall have my discharge soon. But I would almost as soon wait now till my 2 years are up, so as to get the 100 dollars bounty for that reason. I shall try and get a sick furlough in fact I am trying it now. My disease is just about the same now as when I wrote before. I am not doing any better these days.

The mail is going before long, so must hurry and get this in the bag, as it might go today.

I will write again tomorrow or next day and let you know how I progress.

From your snotty boy,

William F. Lerich

To his ma, Mrs. G. F. Lerich, Michigan