8th Connecticut Infantry

Item LTR-5745

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages written in period ink.

Baltimore, Dec. 30th 1861
My Dear Mother,

I received your several letters some time since and should have answered them before but I have been very sick with the Diphtheria and have just got around in time to have Moses, the other clerk, be taken sick with the same thing and all the work devolves on me. I have had entire charge now for 3 days. We are now in the busiest part of the month. We are making out the monthly report and the muster rolls. Oh, by the by, I must tell you of the great change which has happened since you and Father were here. Not a single doctor that was here then is here now. They are all strangers. Dr. Hammond, Dr. Stone, Dr. Crane, all have gone. Dr. Hammond was the one that had charge of the hospital has gone to Wheeling, Va to take charge of a hospital there and our new doctor’s name is Dr. Simpson. I like him very much and I flatter myself that he likes me also. The second in command, Dr. Adolphus, although he is a Jew, I have won his esteem in a number of instances and as long as I do right, I am all right. It will be impossible for me to come home on New Years and indeed it would be almost out of the question to ask to go with Moses sick and no one understanding the office business but me. Besides, I should only feel kind of miserable to think while I was enjoying myself at home, what lots of work I would have to attend to when I got back. I could not force myself to believe that it was really Christmas Day on the 25th. No church bells, no more stir among the heathens of this place than if it had been Sunday, except on every corner you would see a large crowd of boys with packs of fire crackers and fish horns and drums, all blowing away for dear life. You must excuse my bad writing as it is after 12 o’clock pm and I ought to be in bed. Give my respects to Father, Mrs. Harris, Grandmother and all the folks generally and I wish you all sincerely a Happy New Year.
From your affectionate son,
H. Chapin
PS. Please send the shirts by express. I will pay expressage. I am entirely well H.C.