6th Maryland Infantry - Grace Church Hospital

Item LTR-9692

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


U.S. Sanitary Commission

Grace Church Hospital
Alexandria, Virginia

November 28th 1864

Dear Sister and Brother-in-law,

I will write you a few lines again to inform you that I am well and I hope when this reaches you it may find you all the same. I was at home on the 8th of October and when I got there, mother was there. She had come to see Rebecca and the children and she was very glad to see me. I found them all well and left them so mother said they were all well. When she left home, I took her as far as Middleburg, me and Rebecca, then she walked from their home. Now Daniela, I would like to know if you got that letter that I sent to you with a likeness in or not? I haven’t received any answer as of yet. I thought perhaps you didn’t get it so I will write again. And if you get this, I wish you would write as soon as you can. For I am very anxious to hear from you. And would like to know if you all like it yet out there. I still think I will try to come out there when I get free again. That will be the 23rd August as next August, if I live to see it. I am at Grace Church yet working. But my health is better this fall than it has been since I was here and I hope it will increase.

Times are very hard in Maryland. Now it takes every cent that I can get to keep my family. Flour is ten and eleven dollars a barrel and pork fourteen a hundred, oak wood 3.50 on the ground. So you may think it takes some fittings to keep a family like mine. $16 dollars doesn’t go very far. But we must try to stand it yet a while. Perhaps the times will get better before very long.

Now Daniela and Mary Martha, I will not write very much this time. Perhaps you will not get it but if you do, answer it as soon as you can and let me know if you get that likeness or not. So, I will bring my letter to a close by sending my love and respect to you all and will remain your true and well-wishing brother.

Write soon to:

Mr. Levi Handley
Grace Church Hospital
Alexandria, Virginia