Lansing Aug 22d 1861
	Friend D M Bagley
	     My dear Sir
   A day or two Sence I receiv
=ed a fiew lines from you
and apon the parusal of the
Same My hart was filled
with emotions which I will
not attempt at this time to
express to you.. but Sir you
may rest assured that Such
Acts of Kindness will be to
me ever a pleasure to refer
to when away from home &
near & dear friends & may be
a great Satisfaction to me
when probaly ingaged in
the Strife of Batle for our
Common Country
Sir no one can tell but
those who have had the


tryal (which I to Some extent
have had) what a Stimulas
it is to Know that one has
those behind who have a
real intrest in our well-
=fare. while engaged in the
undertakin which I and my
Brave followers are now
about to leave all which
is near & dear (except our
country and its wellfare)
behind to engage in 
Sir you ar a man which
I consider my neighbour
in the [tren?] Since of the [illegible in original]
and one who I Shall ever
remember while my light
holds out to elumin this teni-
ment of Clay ..
Sir if I knew that I had many
Such as you are the dangers
which probaly await me
would be the less dredded

but Still I fell that I
have others.. And in the
care of my God & the
Protection of Such as you
I leave my wife & Little
ones hoping & trusting in
that God who never as
yet has forsaken the just 
& trew.
In conclusion Allow me
my Freind to Say to you
that I accept of you the
favour of which you refer
hoping that god will
Prosper you & me & asking
your Prayers for me & mine
while Away.. hoping that I may
by the grace of God be per-
=mitted to return to my 
familey & friends to enjoy
the fruits of a Peacefull & happy
Country with you & mine
     your friend	      M. Elder
	to D M Bagley

Matthew Elder
		Captain of Eighth Regt
		  Elder Zivores
		Michigan Infantry
		    Aug 22, 1861