Camp near Stephensburgh Va Jan 4 1864

 

            Friend Bronson.

                                    I have fiew moments to spare this evening so I thought I would write you a letter. I received one a long time since from you but it is so long since that I will not call this an answer.

 

You said in your letter that you supposed I had forgoten you because I had not writen to you, but if you take that for a reason then I must have forgoten every one in Saginaw except my own parrents. I finde there is very little time to write letters if I got a chance to write home once a week I thought I was pretty fortunate. It stormed most all day yesterday & there was about three inches of snow on the ground last night but / there is scarcely a trace of it left to night.

 

I hear that the great bridge accrost the Saginaw is finished I also understand is quite a fine structure & if so it must make some improvement on the appearance of Genesee street.

 

The old first cavalry have all reenlisted except about one hundred & I suppose are all in the state before this time. they left here several days ago on a thirty day ferlough.

 

John Hill that we used to call Ruff Rudd is well Rudd Bryant & Tom Daniels are on detached service & Charley Voorheis is still in the hospital from the affects of the wound he received at Gettysburgh. I believe those are the only boys in our company that you knew.

 

You say you should like to see me well I should like to see you & all my friends in Saginaw very much / but I stand a good chance to waite untill we settle up with the Johnies which I think will be when we have one more campaign all round with there are a fiew deserters coming in now & then there were two came over when our regiment were on picket last they said there were plenty more that would do the same if they got a chance they said as soon as they saw the presidents proclamation they left. Also that they the officers kept the proclamation a secrette as much as posiable from the privates.

 

Give my best respects to George Gage & all the other boys of my acquaintance.

 

I remain respectfully

Your friend.

W^m G. Gage.

 

[overleaf]

 

Glover

to

Bronson Southwick

Jay 4/64

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