88th Illinois Infantry - Hospital Nurse

Item MED-9532

Description

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


General Field Hospital
Bridgeport, Alabama

June 22nd 1864

Dear Aunt R,

Yours as ever welcome letter of the 3rd was duly received and in their due course papers and that bundle of fly netting or gauze which latter (although almost too delicate for use) has already been of much service and will continue to be.

My boy “with the elbow wound” will probably have a stiff arm. The surgeon in charge was here last evening making inquiries of him as to how far his home was from a doctor, from a town, etc.. Saying they thought of sending him home, but that he would not be fit for service again, etc., etc..

The past week or two has witnessed some changes here. Most of the older nurses and others here on duty having been sent to their regiments and there is not hardly one here who was here when I came. And I expect to have been sent ere now. But for some cause, unknown to me, I am still at the post of duty to which providence has allotted my portion during the past nine months. I often desire to be with my company, to share with it the toils and dangers of the present campaign and but one consideration prevents my endeavoring to join them. And that is the possibility if not probability proving unequal to the task of field service. And thus, being of more damage than use to the cause. But the order may come at any time for me to go and when it does, I shall consider it my willing duty to go. But until then, contentedly and faithfully endeavor to fill my present station. But at the same time, realizing how far short of coming up to my ideal of what a person in care of the sick should be. I was pained to hear of so many of the soldiers from H. had met with misfortune. But let us be thankful at the evidences of approaching day, when the enemy will be vanquished, peace once more restored to our country. I do not understand why Mr. Green had to pay for a pass. I should like very much to visit New York in your company. I am glad to hear a good report from Elbridge and I hope that he may continue to prosper. But I must close these few lines, hoping that you will excuse their brevity.

I remain,

Your Ever Affectionate Nephew,

Edward