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Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) to Amanda Wilkinson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.13.024 Author/Creator: Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 November 1861 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 25.3 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy

Written at Camp Richardson. States that he loves her very much and is glad she has regained much of her strength. Is extremely excited that she will soon be a mother. Notes that they have been out on a "tramp" after seeing the enemy. He states that 16,000 men and 12 cannons went out after the enemy. He visited "Pohick Church" which was built by Washington 88 years ago. Wilkinson then goes on to describe the dimensions and aesthetics of the building. Also adds that he sat in Washington's pew which he liked very much. Reports that an old slave told him that 600 of the enemy cavalry came through that area last night. Says that he has not seen a good looking, intelligent woman since he came to Virginia. Notes that the navy is doing a good job of capturing Confederate ports. Writes to his friends and family that he is proud to be serving his country. Also includes a small pamphlet with the lyrics to a song called "When this Cruel War is Over" printed on it.

Frederick Wilkinson was a resident of Kalamazoo County, Michigan when he enlisted on 10 May, 1861 as a Sergeant. On 25 May, 1861 he mustered into "K" Company of the Michigan 2nd Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant and later to 2nd Lieutenant on 1 December, 1861. Wilkinson was discharged for promotion on 14 January, 1863. Also on that day he was transferred to "G" Company of the Michigan 2nd Infantry. He resigned on 30 June, 1863.

Camp Richardson Nov 16th 1861
My Dearest Sweetest Wife,
You know that I am always glad to receive a letter from and therefor I was made glad last evening by the receipt of yours. I am thankfull that you are so much better and I hope that you will continue to grow stronger evry day. I have been thinking of you every hour of to day. Your Dear form and face ha[v]e come up befor me a hundred time to day. oh how I wish that I could fold you in my arms and kiss you as I have so often done. You little know how I love you, and I [inserted: do] not think that you ever will, my love for you grows stronger every day, and in the event of your becoming a Mother you need not feel that any of my love will be withdrawn and placed on your child. I have enough for you and [strikeout] it too. If I should not be permitted to be with you in that hour of trial, you must put your faith in God remembering that is the Source from which you can draw comfort. We have been out on a "tramp" after Secesh this week but could not find him if we had we should have had a fight for we had about 16000 men and 12 pieces of cannon with us, while out I visited "Pohick Church" which was built by Washington in 1773, 88 years ago. It is a [2] Brick building about fifty feet square with a "ribed roof" two stories high, small windows above it not intended for a galery all round. there were two doors in front with very fine hewn stone arches, the floor is also hewn stone, the Pulpit is old fashoned and very high up on one of the walls, its alter is on the side at right-angles to the pulpit the articles of Faith and the [struck: Deck] Declogue are in gilt letters which are as perfect as the day they were put on. the pews are the old fashond kind and are very perfect. I knelt in and sat down in Washington's pew. I think that it was a fine pece of work in its day, and it is a much better one than you find at the present time. It is a miserable country all around the church and looks as if it [has run] out a generation ago. We feared that most every one had run away as we entered the little place that boasts of the name of "Pohick" but before we left which was late in the afternoon many of the women returned to their homes and the men came out from their hiding places. Six hundred of the Enemys Cavalry pasd through there the Evening before, So we were told by an old slave, but one could not find them any where. I wish that you could see the country [struck: th] here, it is like England in regard to houses, but the farms are like [struck: and] an old deserted farm in Michigan. I have not seen a good looking Intelligent woman since I have been in Virginia and have traviled sixteen miles and not seen a school house, these are the people that have boasted [3] so long of their High Blood. Poor Ignorant creatures may the country be peopled with a better race of men and women after this contest has ended. from what we can hear from "Secesh" their cause is getting very hopeless [inserted: and] discouraging [struck: It] It will be more so in a few weeks. I should not wonder that it will be entirely lost by next spring, at least I hope so. our fleet has done a good and great thing. I hope that they will keep striking. we shall soon have in our hands every Port and Fort [struck: in] on the Sea Board and then our army will advance from every direction, and thus the war will be brought to a speedy end and we shall be permitted to return to [strikeout] our Dear homes and Friends. I heard by way of " Fred Einer" that Tien Borgachs was at home and had seen you. I hope that it is so he is an old Friend of mine. I am glad that Dr. has such a good practice I hope that he will stay at home with his Father and Mother to comfort them in their old age. I hope that you will not feel sad because I am not with you as your Friends husbands are with them. remember that you have the more cause to rejoice that you have a husband contending for the Constitution and flag of his country than those who have husbands who stay by their firesides while their county is in danger. I am glad that Frank is so good to you tell him that I think of him very often and hope that [struck: if] he is a good [struck: Boy] Boy, and dose all he can for his Mother and Sister. [4] Give my love to all the Dear ones at home tell them that I often think of them and hope to see them all again. We shall be paid off [struck: this] [inserted: next] week and then I will send you some money which I presume you need. It is reported in the camp [struck: that] to night that we are going on a new expedition South. I dont know how true it is. I know that General Richardson has been trying to get [struck: us] us into it. Maybe it is so, if it is all right. It will be much better than staying here doing nothing. This is all the time I will write again soon. write as soon as you receive this. give my love to all at home and keep plenty for your self. Good bey Dearest From
your own husband
Fred Wilkinsen

Wilkinson, Frederick W. fl. 1861-1863

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