Archive Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Catalog Number

1805.025.32

Collection

Carlton Birch Letters

Object Name

Letter

Title

Letter from Carlton Birch to Uncle George

Scope & Content

A letter from Carlton Birch to his Uncle George about his life as a Union soldier in the Civil War. Carlton wrote this letter on March 3, 1864, at Camp Barnes in Virginia. In this letter Carlton described his current lodging at the Headquarters of the 1st Michigan Detachment in Camp Barnes, Virginia. He discussed his health, hope for commission, seeing snow, his appetite, and the desire to send photographs to his family.

Two sketches accompanied the letter. One illustrated the dwelling Carlton resided in at the Headquarters; the other is unidentified.

Date

March 3, 1864

Notes

The full transcription of the letter is as follows:

Head Qrs [Quarters] 1st Michigan Detache [Detachment]
Camp Barnes Va March 3rd 1864
Uncle George

Having Several Moments of leasure [leisure] I have made a hasty Sketch of my present quarters, which you can shade to Suit yourself as I have not the time now to spare; the mail leaves here in fifteen or twenty minutes So you must not Expect a long letter; besides, I have already written you two previously So I am short of Subjects to write on, Our Orders to March were only Cautionary, and we remain Still in the Old Camp, which I wish to inhabit as long as possible, I wrote to Pop last night which I presume he will have received by the time this reaches you; it Contained a Copy of the letter My Captain gave me before he left me here, how do you like it? I am very glad to hear that Rosey Enjoys herself So much, and am indebted to you all for the kindness shown [page break] to her during my long absence, but I am afraid you have all been greatly disapointed [disappointed] at my non arrival in Philadelphia before this time, but the fact is, that one Evening, about three days before the Regiment left here, I was alone in my tent Codgitating [Cogitating] over the prospects for the future, and I imagined if I was to Stay here, and prosecute a Vigorous attack with testimonials of Soldierly conduct, upon Genl [General] Meade during the absence of the Regiment and its Officers, that with the flank movement of promises to his Sister, and my Battery of letters opening upon his front, that the Old General might possibly come to Some terms, for my own personal advantage, thereby giveing [giving] me the power to fulfill my promise made some time ago, of coming home with the straps on, What do you think of my Logic? My health is Scrumptious and I have not been attacked by anything in the Shape of Malady lately Excepting a fearfull [fearful] appetite (Caused probably by the large amount of Mental Exercise) which will require a Commish [Commission] to Satisfy if it keeps on,

However I was for a long time without Eating much of anything So lately I have made up for it hugely - Do you think I have any Show for my White-ally? Be candid and let me know by return of Mail what the General said, when he was in Philadelphia,

A little Snow fell last night, but this morning the Sun is out clear and beautifull [beautiful], Our camp wears quite a lively appearance with the Snow distributed in blotches throughout the Streets Officers Orderlies (Svts) [Servants] are galloping about [page break] probably with some fresh orders to march (hope not) but the weather has been so bad lately that it may be they are glad to get out this fine day.

I have no more Rellicts [Relics] to send you at present but Expect to have Some photographs before long. Our Colonel and Major have a negative here in charge of the Photographer and probably I can get him to sell me a couple of Pictures of them I will call on him this afternoon I can also buy some of the Group pictures at the Same time (My fat picture) which you were so much pleased with. although I did not have an Egg in my mouth at the time it was taken, That man (Photographer) is coining money here, he charges $4. for a Photograph single one, $5. for four pictures and after that 50 cts [cents] Each, although he took 12 pictures of the Group for $10. with the priviledge [privilege] of selling any quantity after our 12 were struck off, as all the Regts. [Regiments] in the Brigade wanted groups for their albums, of which there are quantities in Evry [Every] Regt, he now charges 50 cts [cents] each for the Groups, and they are Selling as fast as he prints them, I was pleased to hear that all the folks were well and hope they may always continue So; how is Mrs. Struthers Mr Struthers, Harry Wriggley, Aunt Eliza and Some others you forgot in your last letter, please hand my best respects around, and dont [don't] be stingey [stingy] with them, I shall anxiously look for your letter also one from Pop, Dont [Don't] hurry yourself but if you have time I would like to hear by return of Mail.

The Mail is now about ready to go out So I must conclude by sending my [page break] love and best respects to My Wife & yours + family Also to Pop Mother Sisters + Brothers, Grandma, and all Relatives + friends, Martin is in Washington yet I received a letter from him a few days ago - he's all right Side up, and trying to Save money-

Excuse hast of
Your Aff Neffyou [Affectionate Nephew]
Carle

Extent of Description

1 leaf, 12.375" x 15.375"

Relation

Show Related Records...

Condition

Excellent

Condition Notes

Noted as "poor" on 10/05/2005, as the letters were in a scrapbook titled, "Record in War." However, the collection was conserved by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), Philadelphia, PA, in 2010. Each item was removed from the scrapbook and placed in individual folders.

Reverse is dirty.

Legal Status

On loan from The Civil War Museum of Philadelphia.