1862 August 11 Niles, Michigan

[written on patriotic stationery with a vignette of the American flag and the verse "And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the Free, and the home of the Brave"]

Niles Aug 11th 1862

Dear Friends at home
It is sometime since
we wrote you and
have received no answer
from you I take this
opportunity to write
you a few lines
we have waited so
long for an answer
that we made up our
minds that it was of
no use to wait any
longer  What do they
say about the Government
policy out there now

[page 2]
since the new call
they about there begin to
think that the more some
thing now does Grove
say any thing about going
to the War who has
enlisted there that I
know. Dear Friends it
is with pleasure that
I can say with all my
heart that I think it
my duty to go and help
defend the flag that we
all love its not for myself that
I go but those that are
to come after me I think
it the duty of every one
that is able to go to do
so and crush this carse  cursed
rebellion at once and
to drive al the system
of Slavery into oblivion
which I think is the only

[page 3]
thing which has caused
this unholy war I shall
either go in the 17th or
19th regiment which
Infantry to camp at
Dowagiac or Detroit
I will write soon and let
you know but you must
direct the answer to this
to Niles I have not time
to write  more this time
tell all to write me
for it may be the
last time that they
may have a chance
but if, I am k [shot?]
you will have this
for a consolation that
I died in the defence
of the old Flag that
you all might have
peace in after years Love
to all all send Love Yours
afft Geo D. [Martin?]

[in left hand margin of Page 3]

excuse the writing my hand is very tremulous

possibly the George D. Martin, in the reorganized 3rd Michigan Infantry

MSS 10694