The Civil War Letters
Chesapeake Hospital, Fortress Monroe, Virginia
June 18 to August 11, 1864
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The Civil War LettersChesapeake Hospital, Fortress Monroe, VirginiaJune 18 to August 11, 1864 |
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June 18th
He has received a scalp wound from a Rebel shell in the fight in front of Petersburg on June 15th. The wound is not dangerous but his eyes are rather bad. He will write when they are better.
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June 21st
He describes his wound incident and the trip by boat to the hospital. He is worried that she may have read of his being wounded in the papers but it has not been mentioned to his knowledge.
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June 25th
She has sent her picture and he is happy to receive it and not troubled to receive pictures like some of the soldiers.
His wound has not begun to heal yet so he will have to have patience with it. He hopes the war comes to a close this summer but whether it comes to a close or not he thinks he will give up and come home next August.
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June 27th
He is getting along first rate now and his wound has begun to heal. He warns Maggie not to come to see him in the Hospital as there are no accommodations for ladies. All the nurses are men.
He thanks God the wound was not 1/2 inch higher or he would have been under the ground by this time. (A religious passage here).
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June 29th
He has received another picture and is happy some people do think of him. He is rather upset to have lost touch with the Lancasters.
He gives another account of his injury. A letter in great detail about daily life in the Hospital. (Writing very small here). He is comfortable and not confined to a bed. He does not want her to send a box, just a few postage stamps.
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July 4th
He is doing well, his eyes are better. A short note as he has nothing to write about this morning.
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July 8th
Maggie is not well and he hopes she will live to enjoy good health and a long life yet. She is worried about the losses in the Regiment and about her Brother William. There were 200 lost or prisoners and there has been no word from him.
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July 14th
He has had a letter from the Company and William has been taken prisoner. We must put up with such things as happen in time of war. He hopes she is in better spirits than when she wrote last.
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July 16th
He has received 4 months pay and is sending her $150.00 and a picture. His wound does not show as it is on the back of his head.
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July 21st
Maggie is well. He writes to tell her that he is not sure of coming home in August. The War Department seems to be changing their style and now wants to hold all old officers 3 years from the date of their last muster in. This is wrong and tyrannical and punishes good soldiers for being promoted while the worthless vagabonds are sent to their homes.
He hopes she can quit working in the Mill as he makes $112.00 per month.
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July 27th
His wound has healed up and he hopes to get a leave for 20 days to come home.
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August 2nd
He does not know if he is coming home or not as his request has not been forwarded to General Butler. He will remain there until he hears if he is coming home or not.
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August 11
Lizzie is very sick and he has still not heard about the furlough. He is waiting and tells her not to write until she hears from him again as he might be home.
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