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In the beginning of 1862, we find A.J. and the rest of the Second Michigan Infantry camped for the winter near Alexandria, Virginia. In a letter dated February 18, A.J. writes of the fine weather they are having and receiving their new guns. In March, they move by boat to Hampton Roads, Virginia. they begin marching towards Yorktown, and in April they participate in the siege of Yorktown. In May they saw action at the battle of Williamsburg, and Fair Oaks. In the June the boys of the Second Michigan, fight in battles around Richmond, Virginia, before moving to Harrison's Landing, where they remain until mid August. In a Letter A.J wrote on July 13, he describes sitting on top of a hill and watching a battle rage down below him. On August 5, he describes camp life and the duties he performs while at Harrison's Landing. On August 17, A.J. and the Second Michigan, move towards Williamsburg and Yorktown , where on august 20, they travel by boat back to Alexandria . A.J. writes of this journey in a letter from August 26. In the last days of August, the Second was in the rear area at the Second Battle of Bull Run and in a letter from September 18, A.J. describes his feelings after the North's defeat. In the fall the Second takes what I am sure was a much needed rest before a mid October move that would take them throughout Maryland and Northern Virginia. On November 18, the Second moves into position on the Rappahannock River, across from Fredericksburg, and participate in the Siege and battles there. In A.J's final letter of 1862 he describes the battle of Fredericksburg, and the suffering the men endured, saying "I never knew what suffering there was until I helped take off the wounded," and "There were men shot in every shape and place," The Second Michigan would remain in the Fredericksburg area through the end of 1862. On the left are links to all 16 letters we have that A.J. wrote in 1862.
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