Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) to Amanda Wilkinson
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.13.102 Author/Creator: Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) Place Written: Haines Bluff, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 June 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 19.5 x 12 cm. Order a Copy
Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Haines Bluff, Mississippi to his wife. He is outside of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Ulysses S. Grant is laying siege to the city because attempting to storm it would most likely cause a great loss of life and would most likely fail. There have been reports that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston is somewhere on the Black River near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A Confederate deserter reported that there are 24,000 troops in Vicksburg, Mississippi but only 15,000 are fit for duty and that the troops in the city have very little to eat. Reports that while on picket duty yesterday he met a man named Chambers who graduated from Granville College in Ohio. Chambers' brother is well acquainted with Frederick Wilkinson's Uncle Marsh. Writes that he can barely eat the army rations anymore. Mrs. Chambers sent him a pie and three eggs which made him think of home. They will go into camp after they have taken Vicksburg, Mississippi and he will try to return home as soon as possible.
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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