24th New York Infantry - Carver Hospital Letterhead

Item LTR-9331

Description

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


Carver U.S. General Hospital
Washington, DC

April 18th 1863

Dearest Ellen,

In answer to yours of April 10th, which was duly received, it now becomes my pleasing duty to perform a few gyrations of the pen.

It is a fine Saturday afternoon. Pleasant and comfortable. Such as one would choose to take a stroll, enjoy a game at Ball, or other recreations on. I got my day’s work all done at just 12 o’clock and after dinner took a walk down the Georgetown Road as far as Cliffbourne Barracks. The green grass, the swelling buds, the birds and more than all a brood of little chickens that I saw, told plainly that spring was close upon us and passing. Soon it will be gone. Whether it brings to us good or evil, making one the less for us to stay here on earth, amid wars and “rumors of wars.” Thus, year succeeds year and soon a life is spent, and all its deeds recorded for us to review. So to look back upon a life well spent, we must improve each day and hour wisely as it passes. I hope it may not be my lot to use the next two years in the same unpleasant and unholy way that we have been compelled to by circumstances during the last two. It is a pleasure to know that a relief is near at hand.

Sunday, p.m., April 19th 1863

As you say sometimes “I have had an intermission”, rather longer than I expected for it is now nearly 24 hours since I began this. The doctor came in and wanted to see me in his room for a while relative to a certain man that was discharged from this hospital about two months ago. There is being some trouble about it which will result in a case at law during this week. And in which I shall appear as one of the main witnesses for the surgeon in charge of this hospital. A Philadelphia lawyer arrived this morning as counsel. Trial will be in the city somewhere. I will give you particulars after the matter is settled. The man had been reported as a deserter at the War Department, but the doctor did not know it and I think will prove himself clean of blame.

This is another splendid day and I think you will have crowded churches in Sandy Creek. I have been to our a.m. service and enjoyed it quite well. But I allowed my mind to run in anticipation, way off home, most too often for my benefit. Then I could not help thinking about the soldiers in the Army of the Potomac for I am quite sure Old Joe Hooker will not allow such a nice day as this, even if it is Sunday, to pass unimproved. From all appearances and from statements of those from the army, there is a movement in progress. The papers are silent and ought to be till no harm will result from publishing the facts. I hope a few days will give us some good news.

It is now after dinner and I will make another attempt to finish a letter. If such it may be called. As soon as the writing gets cold, it looks so that I conclude to change my hand. I begin to think that fate is against my writing this anyhow. But I have your last letter before me now as a prompter, also your ambrotype and other memorials. Hope they may suggest something while I have another chance to write.

You “object to little sheets,” but I think they will do if you use enough of them. I am always thankful for small favors and send large ones in return. I did not intend to wait until sabbath to write this and I hope you will take the will for the deed. The health of patients in hospital is quite good. The measles and smallpox have left us entirely. Our numbers are reduced to 500. They got about 200 sick from the army, over to Mount Pleasant Hospital Friday. Our turn, I suppose will come next or else they will wait and give us a crowd of wounded. Sud is here yet and well as ever. Ed Weston was up here the other day from Campbell Hospital. I went with him over to Sud’s room and who should we find with him but (his to be brother-in-law) Samuel Snyder. There is an expedition to leave here for California by and by to bring in mules, etc. and Sud has quite a notion of going. You see a fellow is never satisfied when he is well off. Can’t let well enough alone.

The going is very good indeed at present. But it don’t take but little rain here to make lots of mud. I don’t think it will pay for Roe to come clear down here to get discharged nor necessary either. I am glad to hear of the promotion of Jim Cottrell. Think him (although quite young) yet competent and deserving. Hope he will do himself honor and come out safe and sound. If I have really got to sing tenor and no excuses will avail, when I get home (if I ever do) then I might as well engage several hundred boxes more or less of “Brown Bronchial Troches.” I fear I could not stand beside M. L. May even then. If you and Erwina do go to Oneida County, I hope you will have a good time and meet no accidents or impediments in your travels. If you stop at Camden one night, be cautious how you change drivers the next morning. For it might prove more disastrous to both you and me than it did on one occasion. That, although by chance, was a sort of introduction. I will send you one of those photos of which you speak. But I do not suppose you will be satisfied then. You will want the original next. I will remember Carrie if I can possible spare one. Most all engaged.

I remain affectionately yours,

W. A. Harding


To Miss Ellen L. Chapin