CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF
MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE RICHARDSON
(Mark L. Richardson)

JANUARY 10th, 1863

This letter was written while Mark was stationed at Edward's Ferry, Maryland, on the Potomac near Washington, D.C. It is addressed to his cousin, Deborah Blanchard Rideout of New Gloucester, Maine. This line is detailed at my Rideout page.

Front of Envelope. I'm not sure if the oval design is simply abstract or, perhaps, represents an open clam or oyster shell. The motif includes three species of grass. The address is clear: "Miss. D. B. Rideout - New Gloucester, Maine." Between the ends of the ribbon is penned "MLR Co. C" (MLR abbreviates Mark L. Richardson.) The postmark reads "Georgetown D.C., Jan 14" The pen note in the upper right reads "Wartime Envelope" and was probably added by my mother or one of my grandparents.

(Page 1)
Please write soon
Edwards Ferry. M.d. Jan 10
Dear Cousin
As I have a little leasure time to Night I don't know how I can improve it any better than by answering your kind & ever welcome letter. It found me well as usual and enjoying myself as well as circumstances will admit. Sometimes my time passes very pleasantly and Days and Weeks pass away before I am aware of it . And then again the time drags along . and I almost wish myself at Home among the many friends I've left behind. I have not many news to write of interest this time as our life has not been so exciting as I expected it would be. Still we may see enough of it yet
I see by your last letter that you have changed your place of Residence for a short time and I know you will enjoy your self . I wish that I could have been at that Gathering of old (Maids) you spoke of

(Page 2)
I don't believe that I would have gone to sleep in the corner as I did last Winter when I was thare. Although I had a reasonable excuse then you know.
I hope it will be so that the time will come when I can take Jennie and visit your folks when you are thare if we don't have a good time I shall think strange. We have moved twice since I wrote you last and the prospect is now that we shall move again soon it is a very pleasant Place whare we are now and I think one of the Healthiest locations that we have ever been in. we are now in the vicinity of the . Reb.s now and we se them quite often across the River but I think doubtful of they make any attack at presant . we shall try and be ready for them I hope if they do come and and we will show them what Oxford Beans can do. I see by the Pappers that our Me Rg.ts suffrd severly at the late Battl it seems rather hard but I am in hopes it all be right by & by

(Page 3)
I had quite a pleasant time the other night . Several of us went out about two miles and gave a seranade we were invited into the House and were treated very kindly. I had my Guitar along and of cours had to Play & sing but I shall send my Guitar Home tomorrow I think as one of our Boys is going Back and afraid it will get spoiled here but I do hate to part with it for I am afraid I shall forget how to play when I get Home.
I have not rec.d many letters latly as our Maile does not come very regular now but I am looking for a good lot when it does come. Deborah I suppose you will not git any more marked envelopes at present as I am cooking more for our Company. And of cours will not get much spare time . but I will assure you that I will answer all of your Letters. but I must close please write soon and oblig your aff cousin
Love to all Mark

According to Dyer's Compendium the 23rd Maine is now camped in Maryland at Edward's Ferry, 6 or 8 miles up the Potomac River from its previous camp at Seneca.