Dear Brother Frank,

I suppose it is about time that I was writing to some of you and I don’t wish to show partiality. I will direct to you this time and you can let Mother & Philander read it. I was very glad to see Philander but was disappointed at your not coming, but perhaps you will have an opportunity to come down here yet, for there is a rumor aloat that our marching orders have been countermanded and that we shall not leave this week. But it is as uncertain as life when or where we shall go. I am anxious to bear from little Emily. We had quite an interesting time here on Saturday notwithstanding the rain. The Paymaster was here and paid the $15 “advance money”. I sent $10 home by William VanLoo which I told him to pay Philander. If you are in want of the $2 speak to Phi for it. We are expecting our bounty money every day, but something may turn up to prevent.

Well now for something else. Two excursion trains came to camp one from each way stopping in front of camp. One from Ottawa County bringing a Sabbath School from Grand Haven, besides many others. They presented a flag to the Ottawa Company accompanied with appropriate exercises. At 3 pm the regiment was forwarded in a hollow square on the parade ground, equipped and armed. A staging was erected in the center and we began to think that something was going to be done. (I forgot to say that the train from the east brought another crowd of people. I saw Sarah Bronson among them but had but little time to visit with her. Do not know whether any of the rest of their folks were here or not.) The staging was put up in the center of the square and the ladies and speakers and officers nearly filled the square besides and immense crowd outside I think over 2,000, and people were in attendance. Besides the right exercises commenced by presentation of a splendid flag to the regiment by the ladies of Ionia costing $100 or $200. A horse sword, belt and pistol to Major Hunting by the Ottawa folks. A sword and belt to one of the captains by his company.

But the best of all were speeches by Hon. Chandler and Hon. F. W. Kellog. They were first rate, especially the first. Yesterday we heard our chaplain preach for the first time. We all liked him much better than we expected to for he is not very prepossessing in his appearance. He preached on the parade ground in the open air and held prayer meeting in the same place. The meetings were very interesting.

Today I have been doing my washing with Kent C. VanLoo and myself went down to the Grand. River this morning to do our washing. We used cold water but had plenty of soap and a good deal more fun. We used the kettle that we boiled our coffee in this morning for a wash tub and when we got through our kettle and on our way to camp, filled it with water far dinner.

I guess you will think this looks smutty but is next to impossibility to write here in camp, that’s so. Hurrah, we just got marching orders again. We are to start for Cincinnati next Thursday morning at 9 o’clock. We are all in a hurry to leave this camp. I am very well in deed at present and enjoy myself, sleep well and have enough to eat by furnishing myself with a few extras, If I do not see you before I leave will write again, I shall buy me a blanket the next time I go to Ionia if I can find one. We have not got our shirts yet but will have them before we leave of course. Love to all the friends. I got a letter from Millie today which I will send along for you to read as I can’t keep my letters of course. Dear I am tired of writing so much Good bye.

Your brother, C. H. Peck

Can’t you come and see me this week
CHP

This web page has passed the validation checks from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

.   This web site is © copyright 2001-2008, by Bruce Robere and the 21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Co. H. Full copyright notice.
  For further information, contact  the 21st Michigan webmaster: Click to email Bruce Robere.