Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) to Amanda Wilkinson
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.13.056 Author/Creator: Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) Place Written: Alexandria, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 September 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.3 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Written at Mansion House Hospital. Sends his wife some money and plans to send more soon. He is hoping to save up enough money to buy 240 acres of land in Michigan. Writes that he is feeling very bad and is very weak. He will try to get home soon and if he does not get any better while at home he will stay there. He tells his wife that the army has been "whiped" for everyday for the past two weeks. He reports that General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson is on the Potomac and he expects to hear that General Jackson will soon cross into Maryland. He believes that if this happens Maryland will rise up and join the Confederacy. Writes that General Jackson is too smart for the Union generals. Explains that the army is in the same position they were one year ago. Tells her the story of a woman who came to visit her husband only to find out that he had recently died.
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.
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