Camp Mc Kim Co. K. Sixth
	Mich. Regt. Vol. Baltimore. Md
			Feb 11th 1862
		Dear Sister
It is with the same Brotherly feeling
that now prompts me to perform that ever
pleasant task of writing to you that has
ever in the past I am seated on A stool
the only piece of furniture in the room that
reminds me of my own native State it is
one that was taken with the Regt when they 
left < [on the side margin] Kalamazoo here I am all alone in my room
but without it is all hip hurah I am very
much afflicted to day with A gathering in 
my ear it is nothing of A serious nature the
weather here is very unpleasant it is snowing
this Evening we have had as the Baltimoreans 
say A power of rain & mud the health of the
Regt is good at present. 
	As I sometimes sit at
my window looking out on the City thoughts
of other & beter days fill my mind. sometimes
of joy sometimes of hope & often disappointment
when I think of the quiet we once enjoyed in
our own native land & think of the many
change of prospects in life how sweet to think

that although we are here in camp far away from
the friends of our youth engaged in the noblest of
works that of defending that Flag which has for many
long years has been the pride of this now divided
nation & it is my humble prayer that it may yet
wave over the grave of the traitor as well as that of the hero
& the true patriots the future sometimes looks dark &
 gloomy but with the God of Battels on our sid it is
our motto to conquer we want for our cause it is
just. the monotony of camp life is somewhat irksome
especialy where we are stationed any length of time we are well
fed clothed & paid still there are those who murmer without
just cause it is very evident that this war is one of
speculation with some who would willingly sell their
Country for A meal of Potage yes worse than that they
would steal the Acorns from A blind sow or even
the glass eyes from A wooden Monkey you may think
this A droll comparison but it is true.
				Time the great
key that unlocks the future will reveal soon the
					are 
fate of this once beautiful Country. We ^   surrounded
on every side with secess but they dare not say
even what they think were it not for the troop
stationed here it would not be twenty four hours
before it would be as bad as it was the 19th of April
as it is they have only to take A look at Fort 
Mc Henry & Federal Hill [illegible in original] is their bill of fare
portrayed to them in huge characters I am of the 

opinion that few of them care to dispute it.
		Feb. 12th
				The sun is shining as 
warm as on A May day I am some better this morn
The gathering in my ear broke last night,
	We have cheering news our boys are giving
the rebels Hell they have taken every point they have
undertaken of late we have the news here every day
almost every day some one arrives from the seat of War
all of the dispatches coming from our forces all comes
by the way of Baltimore The news just came that we have 
drove them out of Manasas took 3,000 stand of Arms
70. Canon Roanoake is taken Fort. Donaldson is already
	  already surrounded & perhaps [as?] this reaches you will
have been taken the talk is now that some of the
troops mite be moved from here to take some Rebels
Batteries on the Potomac Gen. Mc Lellan took the 
command of the forces at Monasas it is the opinion
that Mc Lellan will attack the Batteries on the 
Potomac in the rear our forces will form here
will attack them in front This last move is
nothing but rumor still it may be true
	Last week our Col had A splendid Sword 
presented to him it cost 2,00 dollars it was gotten up
by the Noncommisioned Officers, Meusicians & privates
of the sixth Regt it was gold plated sealbond with silver
mounting also A sash & Belt the presentation was made
by A Non. Com the Col made A tip top speech in  

reply it was he said the hapiest day of his Public
life he thanked them again & again for the token of
respect & pointed to it as a trophy won by A bloodless
victory & as he turned aside leaving with him the prize
he placed his hand upon his bosom & remarke that
his heart was to full for utterance A few day later
our Camp was the scene of A differant character it
							 g
 was the druming out of camp one of our Regt for stealin^  
The Regt were drawn up in front of their quarters he
was taken to Head Quarters the Buttons all cut off
his coats A large card tied to his back with the 
word Thief painted in huge letters he was then
placed in front of the Guard who held their guns at
A charge Bayonet marching him all round in front
of the Regt the Band fowling in the rear playing
the Rouges march was taken to the gate handed over
to the civil authorities it was as the boys say [illegible in original]
but it will learn him to take A joke I made up
my mind I would not take anything more out of my
reach [?] or cary off any more big hot stoves he was not
punished for stealing but for getting caught at it
	you will please to answer now direct to Camp
Mc Kim Co. K. Sixth Mich Regt Baltimore Md 
	Tell me all of the news give my respects to 
all my wife left here A week ago last Monday
I am looking for A letter from her every day she was
here with me two months good by for this time
your with respect
			G.B. Surdam, Sergt