Michigan in the Civil War

Browse by Name: Bailey, Thomas Dolan.

Bailey, Thomas Dolan, 1838-1907.

Twenty-seven letters (1862-1865) written to his mother while he was serving in Company H, 5th Michigan Infantry. He describes the good treatment the troops received at Troy, N.Y., his quarters and food, a hospital visit by General McClellan, a dinner he cooked for the officers with roast turkey and roast partridges as the chief items on the menu, and a donnybrook in a Washington theater. In addition, there is a lively description of a battle and a humorous account of a run-a-round over a furlough. He is often homesick and speaks disparagingly of army life. He frequently asks for boxes and newspapers from home. Bailey lived in Washtenaw County, Mich.