Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) to Amanda Wilkinson
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.13.071 Author/Creator: Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 December 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.3 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy
Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry to is wife. His arm is still very sore from last week but he is glad to hear that she and their baby are doing so well. It appears very doubtful that he will come home this winter. The army is unsure of what it will do next. The regiment has built log huts for the coming winter. Gives some details describing what the log hut is made from. States that he has built a large hut in case she comes to visit him. States that the battle plan of General Ambrose Burnside was good but they failed to carry it out. Explains that it was neither the army nor Burnside's fault because it was foggy. Writes that most of the Ann Arbor, Michigan men were killed or wounded but most of the troops from Kalamazoo, Michigan fared better. Instructs her to send a New Year's greeting to his mother.
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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