On the Cares going to Grand Rapids
	Sept 19th 1862


	Br James I write to let you know that I
have enlisted I am sorry that my horse
was not what you & I [too?] suposed her to be
I intend to take her with me in the army
   I shall get a furlough furlow if I
can long enough to go once over my
circuit to see my old friends. I will hold
a meeting at the Scofield S. H    ere long
if I get a furlow        If I do not
will you please tell Br [Rann?] that I
wish him to pay George Fisher three
dollars for me & call his subscription
paid --  If you can get any of the Sub
scription – besides that please mail it
directing to W.W. Olds Conway Liu Co
Mich & it will get to my wife
She needs it poor lonely grief
stricken women -            I intend to
do what I can to serve our Country in the
army     I shall make an application to
be appointed Chaplain -       I do not
expect to get it    But I have a good
     c
rec^omend from the leading men of Lansing 
    This will give me an introduction to
the officers then they can do with me as they 
think best                           We started from
    [Byrum?] about 11 OC   Oh it was grievous
to leave those dear ones there, weeping
who had gone with us as far as
they could to cheer us on our way
         Our men appear to be intelligent &
gentlemanly -        When I see such
noble looking fellows going to be 
	
[Upside down at bottom of Scan 1]
	[mark illegible in original] W W Olds

sacrificed like cattle to the slaughter
I can not help thinking that these
woes – griefs -    hopes – this stupendous
ruin [illegible in original] by War will cause
the people of America to curse
& tread beneath thier feet the
foul poisonous causes that
lead to such a result, when
this dark cloud of War has
passed away & the lifegiving sunlight
of peace, gain, smiles upon us
	I believe that it is the duty of
every man that can to join the
army at this time that we may
hasten peace by hastening
victory -       Tell all my
friends that I remember them
kindly -             If I have done or
said any thing that they esteem
wrong I ask thier forgiveness
	I have aimed to do
right -   if I have failed
ignorance & meakness
was the cause                    My life
may be very brief now
I am determined to be a Christian
if I can until my earth
Journey ends -           I have no
fearr of death –
	That hope I spoke of
the last time I [illegible in original] you
is mine –
	  Please write to me direct to
Grand Rapids Mich    yours
                 as ever              W.W. Olds