88th Illinois Infantry - Hospital Nurse

Item MED-9497

Description

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


General Field Hospital
Bridgeport, Alabama

January 3rd 1864

Dear Aunt R,

Yours of the 23rd came to hand on the last of the old year and I have not had a favorable opportunity for a reply until now. And I hope these few lines may find you all well entered upon a new year and one richly stored with peace and plenty, and free from bereavements of all kinds. But if you shall be called upon to pass through afflictions of any kind, may that hope which taketh hold upon things not seen but eternal prove an anchor to your soul and enable you to “stem the storms, it will not be long, we’ll anchor by and by.”

I have now been acting as a nurse (or attendant) since September 20th. I have kept a record since October 6th and by it I find that about 160 patients have come into my tent. Of these the most have been wounded men. The others suffering from various diseases. Mostly chronic diarrhea and a number from typhoid fever. Six have died and the rest been sent to their regiment or to back hospitals.

New Year’s Day I had a dinner for my patients (3) consisting of a beef’s heart stuffed and boiled pies, sauces, pudding, etc.. I have given away a pair of the drawers to an old man of over 60 years of age who had not way to get a pair to wear away from here. The shirts, I let patients who are likely to stay some time put on and shall give them away to any really destitute.

I have not had a letter from El. yet and have not written to him. Although I have had it on my mind several times so to do. But perhaps he does not care. I have commenced with you to read the Bible in unison and by course. But I should prefer to have it arranged some way so that we might read the New Testament and the Poetical and prophetical books of the Old Testament together, leaving the historical parts or books of the O.T. (Do you not think it would be better, leaving the latter for general reading?). We have just had a Chaplain appointed for this hospital and I think he will be a good one. But the bugle has sounded for bedtime, nevertheless I must not omit thanking you very much for those likenesses put up in just the best manner for a soldier to carry and all looking so natural. I like Henry’s best. He looks so smart and independent. The stamps are just in time. I sometimes sell or give one to patients as we cannot get them here very often and some do not like to put “soldier’s letter” on theirs.

My love to all and I remain

Your Affectionate Nephew,

E. W. Curtis

P.S. It is now raining after having two or three cold raw blustering days with a snow squall. It is too far south for cold to last long.