Author Archives: Paula

Battle of the Wilderness

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Paula

Head Quarters 7th Michigan Mounted Cav.                                                 Camp on the Battle Field of the Wilderness My Dear Mother.                                 I have not heard from you for some time and I suppose you have not heard from me as the mail … Continue reading →

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Spencer’s Letters in May 1864

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Paula

Spencer writes home twice during May but both communications would be enough to worry any mother. In the first letter, he has survived the major combat in a large-scale battle, the Battle of the Wilderness. Combat still rages around him … Continue reading →

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Oct. 16, 1863 the old Bull Run battle field

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Paula

4 miles from Centerville. Oct. 16th Dear Mother the last 6 days have been to me the most eventfull of any in my life. I was called to horse when I was writing last & we fell back almost to … Continue reading →

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Goat Point and Fort Pulaski

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Paula

In his previous letter, Charles had expressed his hope that the 8th Michigan would soon move on from Beaufort, South Carolina where the unit had been encamped for several months. He believed that if they could only take the battle … Continue reading →

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Learning about the South

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Paula

At the end of March, Charles sits down on a Sunday to write to his brother William in Charleston Township once more. The 8th Michigan has been stationed at Beaufort for nearly three months now and Cock is starting to … Continue reading →

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8-mile march

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Paula

A month after his previous letter, Cock writes to his brother disappointed that he has not yet heard from him. Charles says he will write a quick letter because he has been busy and he will shortly have to participate … Continue reading →

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Foraging expeditions

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Paula

In his next letter to his brother, Charles Cock writes that the 8th Michigan has been sent to Beaufort, South Carolina. The new camp seems to be quite satisfactory in his opinion. Charles uses much of the letter to report … Continue reading →

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Fort Monroe

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Paula

The next letter in the Museum collection that Charles Cock wrote is dated December 17, just a week before Christmas. Charles tells his brother that he had written the day before to his father, indicating he hoped to be released … Continue reading →

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March through Baltimore

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Paula

Four days after writing to his brother from Cleveland, Charles Cock writes a much more extensive letter to his sister describing the trip from Cleveland to Washington by way of Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Charles is clearly impressed by the … Continue reading →

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On their way to Washington

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Paula

This first letter from Charles F. Cock is really more of a quick note to his brother before his unit, the 8th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, leaves for Pittsburgh. The 8th Michigan had mustered into Federal service at Detroit’s Historic Fort … Continue reading →

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