The Civil War Letters Chesapeake Hospital, Fortress Monroe, Virginia June 21, 1864

Chesapeake Hospital
June 21st /64

My Dear Wife

I write to inform you that i am getting along very well  My wound has not healed much yet but it is in a fair way for getting better  i wrote a short note to you the day i arrived here  My Eyes was to bad that day that i could hardly see to write but i can see a little better to day

it was on the afternoon of the 15th when i received my wound.  we was fighting Dismounted in front of Petersburg  i had command of the first line of Skirmishers and i had succeed in driving all of the Rebel Skirmishers inside of these works when there artillery opened on our Skirmish line and the first thing i knew i was Struck in the head with a piece of a shell which sent me to Mother earth.  in a few minutes i was able to get up and walk with the help of one man  i was no sooner on my feet but there was a dozen Bullets whizzed Past me which warned me to get out of that  as soon as i got back to the reserve i had my wound dressed by Dr Harlan of our Regt.  i was then handed into an ambalance and on thursday morning i was put on board the Hospital boat to go to Fortress Monroe  i had a miserable time of it on the boat  i was very sick and the Boat was crowed and we was over 48 hours coming down the James River so that i did not arrive at the Chesapeake Hospital until Saturday noon.  but i am quite comfortable here.  My health is good and my wound will get well if i will only give it time.  i was afraid at first that you might see my name among the wounded in the papers and that you might be very uneasy on account of not hearing from me  but i believe it has not been mentioned in the papers to my knowledge.

Dear Maggie  i have no news to Send  i hope these few lines will find you and Lizzie injoying the Best of health  i must now close  Give My Love to Mother  Jane and all the Family and all inquiring Friends

My Very Best Love to you
i am as Ever
Your Affectionate Husband
Wm Lancaster

Direct
Lieut Wm Lancaster
Chesapeake Hospital
Fortress Monroe  Va

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