75th New York Infantry - Nurse - NEW

Description

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

Annapolis, Maryland
December 9th, 1864
 
Dear Parents,
 
I received your letter of date Navarino, November 30th, this morning December 9th. It found me well & enjoying good health at the present & hope that these few lines will find you the same. 
 
We have been receiving a very large number of sick from Savannah. The Baltic came in day before yesterday with some seven hundred & one boat came in this morning with some five hundred more, & there is still more to come. We are chuck full. We have got one more than we have beds so one of the nurses will have to sleep on the floor or where[ever] he can catch it. But there will be a plenty of beds in a few days because there is a good many that can’t live long. There was 26 deaths on the boat coming from Savannah on the Baltic. The papers state that Sherman is within 40 miles of Savanah making for that point.
 
I received a letter from Russ the other evening. He was at City Point driving team. I haven’t answered it yet but I shall in a few days as an opportunity presents itself. I received a letter from George G. Annable yesterday. They was in camp six miles south of Winchester, Virginia, on the Winchester & Strasburg Pike and was building winter quarters. The regiment had been consolidated into five companies and the most of the officers had been mustered out with the Vets. He says that George Beeks and Ed Earll had to stay from the time they was mustered into the U.S. Service which was at Staton Island N. Y. at the same time I was. I feel sorry for them because I think they ought to have their discharge as quick as any of the rest.
 
I cannot answer any letter because I have not got any stamps nor money. I wish you would send me a dollar or so, so I can get me some or send me the stamps. I have not got any to put on this so I shall send it without. Write as quick as you get this. We have to work considerable now. 
 
Write often and I will the same. I have got to sit up tonight and take care of 39 patients, most of them bad. I will try and get a furlough after the first of January.
 
Direct to Austin Case, Naval School Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland, Ward G, Set 5, Div one, or as you have directed, makes no difference, which comes handiest. Let me know what the folks are doing.
 
Austin Case