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- Description:
- Photograph. Sepia-toned portrait of Lieutenant Colonel Ava Sprague, 24th Michigan Infantry, dressed in his military uniform, including sword and scabbard; holding his hat in his right hand.
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Military
- Description:
- Letter. Hand-written letter "To Sister" from Lt. Colonel Ava Sprague, dated Oct. 15, 1862. Letter reads, "My Dear Sister, I have only one excuse for not writing to you before that in my time is all taken up with Camp duties, and drilling and moving so much that we have noting settled. We are now about one mile from Sharp burgh on the Potomac near the Battle field of Antietam in Gibbon's Brigade, 1st Army Corps. Several of the Michigan regiments are close by us although not in our Brigade. Our living consists of hard biscuits, fat pork, and coffee. Breakfast, Dinner and Supper all alike. Bed one blanket on the ground and over coat over us, we have shelter tents which we have to get down on our knees and crawl into them. You may think strange we do not have more blankets with us. The only reason is the Government would not carry them. I had to leave my trunk in Washington and take nothing but what I could carry on by back. We do not expect to stay here long. All are very anxious to leave this camp as soon as possible. We cannot buy anything here. The stores in town are all shut up, the citizens most all left. Every house shows the effect of shot and shell. The fields are all cleaned of fences, nothing to be seen, but camps of soldiers for miles. Sight of us lays about - One house and wounded Rebels, some groaning and dying, while others are limping around. Their friends come to see them from the other side of the river and bring them luxuries, so that they seem to live better than we do. We have a fire show every day which consists of Balloon ascension that with the constant blowing of Fifes and beating of drums from, 'early morn to dewy eve' in all the amusements that is on the fields. I see by the paper that Capt. William is on the new boat with Capt. Vigen, I hope the change is better for him. I red a letter from home a days ago, Father did not like it because I had gone in the army. The folks were all well I wish you would write to me often whether I write or not and go to my house often and see and see how they get along if they need anything that you can do for them I hope you will accommodate. I expect to be paid off on the first of the next month when I shall send them money. Give my respects to William and your children. Remember to me all enquiring friends. Don't fail to see Betty, tell her you have heard from me and give her my love, I wrote her a few days ago. I remain your brother, A. W. Sprague."
- Date Issued:
- 1862-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society
- Collection:
- Military
