96th Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-9826

Description

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


U.S. Marine Hospital
New Orleans, Louisiana

May 11th 1864

Dear Annie,

I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know how I am. My health is very good at present so I feel to thank our heavenly Father for it. I hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. Annie, I received a letter from you today of April 28th so you see it doesn’t take such a long time to get a letter and I was very glad to hear from you. You spoke of Bill selling that tobacco. The reason he sold it he said was he could not send it very well. But if my mouth has been sore, I can chew all the time. The side I carry my tobacco has never got sore yet and my mouth, so I thought it was well but it is near as bad as ever. I don’t know the reason, but I am fat as I was when I was home if not fatter. I enjoy good health. I had a spell of the shakes last week.

Annie, you think I had better stay here [in the hospital] if I can. I think I can stay as long as I want to and probably will stay awhile. The doctor was in the other night and he asked the boy nurse if I was a good nurse. He told him I was one of the best. So, the doctor asked me how I like it. I told him I guess I would stay till I got the chills broken up and he put his arm round me and said I had better make up my mind to stay with him and I guess I will for a while. But you mustn’t think of coming down for it would kill you to come down here in the hot weather and it is getting pretty warm here now. It will be pretty bad for some of them home guards to leave for it is in a bad time of the year. But never mind, one crop it will help put down the rebellion for anything to get rid of that. For I think when this war is over, there will be lots of glad hearts and lots of sad ones.

You spoke of not getting the particulars of the battle. Neither have we and never will. For it was so badly managed they will keep it to themselves if possible. You said that you hadn’t heard from William since I left the regiment. I have had 2 or 3 letters from him—one since the fight. He was well and hearty then. But according to all accounts, they are seeing pretty hard times. It is the talk that they are nearly surrounded. Just as soon as they can get out, the expedition will be over for they will get out as quick as they can.

I was sorry to hear that Emily had been sick. You need not be afraid to write for the letters come right through. I don’t know what more to write this time. The patients are all very quiet tonight.

Annie, you mustn’t expect long letters but if nothing happens, I will write often. So, no more at present but remain your husband.

A. A. Thayer

My love to all. Write soon. Direct as usual. Goodbye. Take good care of yourself and enjoy yourself the best you can for that’s the way I do.