[Camp?] 1st Mich Infantry Near  
Sharpsburg [Md?] Oct. 10th 1862
	Dear Father,
	As the mails are
quite  irregular I will not wait for an 
answer to my letters, but will write you a 
few lines this rainy day. I have been 
commanding the division picket
for the last few days, and have been
up considerable nights, so I don’t
feel very bright to day.
	I have heard for certain that
Bibbins and Tucker are alive and unwounded
and on paroles. You have probably heard
from them on this. I am very glad
they were not killed as I thought they
[surely?] must be. Everything remains
quiet in this vicinity. The 24th Mich. is
near here and are in Hooker’s Corps.
	The 17th & 20th as well as all of Burnside’s
Corps have crossed the river at Harpers

Ferry. I think there will some very
important movement [illegible in  original] long. The
Rebels are getting alarmed at the movements
of McClellan. They know he is to strike
soon but cannot tell where the blow
is to desend. The “rebs” will fight as
long as they can keep together a military
organization. They are getting thrashed
out west it seems. That we had all western
men in our army here. The eastern
city troops cry “enough” too soon
but the western guys never. I have
noticed the differences on the field.
	When the eastern men are in a
hot place and are suffering, the want
            and generally back [out?]
to get out ^ but the western boys, when
they are in a warm spot, they get out
of it by going out toward the enemy
	The troops from the eastern states
[smudged] who are from the rural districts,
such as western N.Y. [rest of line illegible in original]
good fighting generally. The troops

are in excellent health & spirits, are
confident that when this noble [chief?]
commands forward, will be to victory.
	Fred is well and looks tough as
ever. Lt. Col. Abbott on river here two days
since and my labors will now be much
easier as I have a great deal of
field duty to [illegible in original] and it will be lessened
now. also have had the duty of six line
officers to do, having had command and
charge of two companies D & E and being
the only officer present in both.
	There has been many promotions in
the regt lately and a Capt. Assigned
to Co. [E?] so I have that trouble off my
hands. How is politics now days in
Mich. Uncle George wrote me about
the “Union” convention and also sent
a paper concerning the proceedings.
	I think it is nothing more than
the last kick of the “democracy” of Mich.
	I care but little about politics, only

put fighting men into office. I think
Gov. Blair has done nobly as a general
thing for Mich. And no better man
could be chosen for the position in the
State. I do not believe in Green Generals
but keep the experienced ones in command.
	If the soldiers could vote, Blair would
get a big vote I think from the army.
I don’t see why they should not.
	I am curious to hear how Grand father
is getting along. I trust he is as [remainder of line is illegible in original]
[illegible in original] kindly to hear when
you see him again. I will write to him
in a few days. Give my love to mother
and all the family. I wrote to Joe at 
Albion a short time since. I shall write
to Uncle George soon. Write soon to
your ever dutiful son.
			Bent
P.S. Don’t you sell “Dorothy” until I get
home, perhaps I will buy him or trade with
you, as I have a [gay?] little “hoss” only 5 yrs. old.
							Bent