16th New Hampshire Infantry

Item LTR-6501

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages written in period ink.

16th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers
Camp Mansfield
New Orleans, February 15, 1863

Dear Friend,

I received a letter from home day before yesterday. My wife said you had not heard from Harvey since he left New York. Knowing the feeling a father must have for a son in the army so far from home and in a climate like this, I take the liberty to write you a few lines. When Harvey came here he looked very bad. He stayed with our boys one or two days then went to the hospital where he has remained since. I felt somewhat concerned about him for some time, did not know but he would have to be sent home but he has been gaining for 3 or 4 weeks pretty fast. He was up here day before yesterday. He is looking well and says he feels well. I see nothing to hinder him from coming back to camp any time now. We have a good many in the regiment that are not able to do duty but none very sick now that I know of. The health of the regiment is improving. As for myself, I have been able to do duty every day since we went into camp at Concord.

I remain your friend,
Sanford S. Wilber