91st Pennsylvania Infantry - Nurse's Death Notification Letter to Soldier's Wife

Item LTR-10294

Description

Original Civil War nurse letter. 4 pages, written in period ink, and includes lock of soldier's hair sent to his wife.

David’s Island Hospital

Mrs. Whinna,

In visiting the hospital today, I found your husband who desired me to write and let you know his condition. He is very low. Doctor thinks he cannot be moved in 24 hours.

He says tell my wife I am trusting in Christ. I have not been as good as I ought to have been. But my hope is firm in Christ. He has led me thus far and now he will take me to himself. He never will leave me. Remember the last bargain we made was that we would meet in heaven.

He is too feeble to say any more. A lady read the Bible to him, which seemed to give him great pleasure. He said, I have prayed God to raise up a friend, me and now he has.

There is so much to do here. I cannot write any more. Only command you to our dear Savior, who is full of tender love and pity. He will comfort those who come to him. My home is 11 University Place, New York.

Yours with Christian sympathy,

Mrs. D. W. Chapman



David’s Island
June 29 [1864]

Mrs. Whinna,

If you received the letter I wrote yesterday, perhaps you are prepared to hear that Mr. Whinna died last evening about 6 o’clock. I stood by him and saw him breathe his last. He became delirious soon after telling me what to write you. Was unable to speak some time before he died. He was wounded. I do not know in what battle. The ball entered just under the shoulder blade, came out in the neck under the ear. I do not know how long he has been here. I saw him first yesterday. I suppose he will be buried today at Cypress Hills Cemetery.

Trust in the Lord and he will be a present help. I write in great hurt but I have told you all I know about your husband. I don’t know anything about his knapsack or money. But if you want to know anything about it you must write to Dr. Webster, Surgeon in Command of David’s Island Hospital, New York Harbor. And you will get all the information he can give.

Yours,

E. P. Chapman

I enclose a lock of your husband’s hair. [Included with letters]