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to brother

Received a letter from him and a letter from Mother yesterday. July 4th was a pretty quiet day, "hardly a gun fired all day." No July 4th could surpass that of last year when Vicksburg fell. Is back with the company he first came out with. General...

GLC09355.078

to Mother

Just finished writing a letter to Charlie and will now write to her. Glad to hear her July 4th was so pleasant. One year ago on the 4th his corps was celebrating the victory at Gettysburg. Does not know where he will be for the next July 4th, but...

GLC09355.079

to Parents

Just camped for the night. Feeling very tired. He and his friend John Banks decided to stop at 9:00 PM one night to get some rest while the army moved on. Found a good orchard to sleep in. Later caught up with the rest of the army at about 2:00 the...

GLC09355.081

to Parents

Does not know when he will be able to send his letters, for they are now over 50 miles from Harpers Ferry, the nearest supply station where he can send mail. His brigade was detached from the rest of the army and ordered to wait for the supply train...

GLC09355.084

to Parents

Clapp says Charles Town is in Virginia, but was mistaken. Received two letters from them yesterday. One also came with $1, socks, suspenders, and a handkerchief, all of which he appreciated greatly. Does not get mail as regularly as while at...

GLC09355.085

to Parents

Will write quickly; the mail goes out in half an hour. Does not feel "in the best mood." At about 8:00 AM on the 21st, the Rebels attacked the army's pickets. The entire army scrambled into fighting position "as soon as possible." His company was...

GLC09355.086

to Parents

Got a letter from them dated 1864/08/21 last night. They write of not having received a letter from him in a long time, but does not know why his letters have not been delivered. Most of his letters have been short, "hurried" ones simply letting them...

GLC09355.087

to Parents

Just received a letter from them. Glad to know that everyone is well. Has moved farther up the valley since his last letter. During the march, the cavalry fought in front of them the whole way. The Confederates turned back upon discovering the main...

GLC09355.088

to Parents

Would have sent the earlier letter sooner, but had to march the next day and therefore did not have time to mail it. Is now on picket for three days starting from last night. Elisha has not arrived yet. "The Johnnies are a not very great distance...

GLC09355.089

to Parents

Received his first letter from them in over two weeks. "I think this department is the worst we have ever been in for mail arrangements." Has started to drill twice a day. "The weather is variable." It often rains without warning, and nights can be...

GLC09355.090

to Parents

The supply train is here; will be able to send a letter tonight. Is "as well as usual." The weather has been very strange; it has alternated very quickly between sun and rain. Heard a rumor last night that Petersburg was taken but does not know if it...

GLC09355.091

to Parents

Is well and enjoying himself. Hates to write a letter and then send it many days later. Will write a longer letter to them soon. General Grant visited the corps last Friday. Sheridan appears to know what he is doing; "he keeps a shark look out for...

GLC09355.092

to Parents

Is going to try writing with his left hand. "I am feeling quite nice and smart." Wants to come home very much, but must be patient. If he goes home too soon, the wound may get worse. Has "the best of care" here. Must stop; hand is getting tired. Ed...

GLC09355.103

to Parents

Left Winchester for Baltimore on the 18th. Spent three days at a hospital there, and was then ordered to Philadelphia, where he arrived yesterday. Wound is doing "very well." Is tired from the ride to the city. Does not know where he will be next or...

GLC09355.104

to Parents

There has been "nothing done" about the possibility of him heading home to Northampton. The wound is doing "better than one could expect." Wishes he had a good flannel shirt from Mother. One shoulder would have to be very wide so as to not hurt the...

GLC09355.105

to Parents

Will be going home "between now and next Tuesday." Arm is doing "first rate." Tries to enjoy himself as best he can.

GLC09355.106

to Parents

Had "no trouble at all" getting here; is in the best ward in the hospital. Is writing with his right hand for the first time since being wounded. Is "well as ever." Has a comfortable bed and plenty of blankets. Will get the best care possible at this...

GLC09355.107

to Parents

Wishes them a happy new year. Generally wakes up at about 5:30; lies there until 6:00. Then gets dressed, cleans up, and makes his bed. Gets breakfast, then walks around a little until 9:00 when the surgeon comes. Goes to sleep at 8:00 PM and sleeps...

GLC09355.108

to Parents

Does not have much to do to spend time, so he will write. Has been reading almost every day. Went down to the city of Worcester the other day and saw Simeon. Will go again tomorrow. "He is a man that appears to feel for the soldier, and he was very...

GLC09355.109

to Parents

Got their letter last night. "I can't say I really like life in hospital." Thinks the fact that he was home for several weeks makes being in the hospital even worse. Will try to get home as often as possible. Will get paid as soon as the paymaster is...

GLC09355.110

to Parents

Received their letter yesterday. There is a regular, "monotonous" rhythm to life at the hospital. Writes, reads, sleeps, and does little else. Goes into Worcester 2 or 3 times a week. On Monday, a library opened at the hospital for the use of the...

GLC09355.111

to Parents

Got back to the hospital last Friday. "My cold is much better." Finally found the key to his valise. Arm is doing much better, and "the swelling has left it." Hopes that it is warmer the next time he comes home. Written at Dale General Hospital

GLC09355.112

to Parents

Did not get a letter from them this week. The surgeon examined his arm last Monday. He said that "you never will be able to do any military duty whatever and if you wish for your discharge you can have it now, but I wish you would not take it at...

GLC09355.113

to Parents

Got their letter Tuesday morning. Hopes his arm will stop running soon. Got a letter from Ed Bridgman on Saturday. The regiment had just returned from another raid. It is a shame how much marching the troops have to do. Met Mrs. Whitney, the mother...

GLC09355.114

to Parents

Does not have anything to write, but it is a good way to pass the time. Is only barely able to use a pen. Hopes that "by the 1st of May… I shall be able to do something besides living in a Hospital." Hates life here. The Surgeon General and Governor...

GLC09355.115