44th New York Infantry - Twice Wounded

Item LTR-11177

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.



Desmarres Eye & Ear Infirmary
Washington, DC

April 18^th, 1863
 
Dear Parents,
 
I received yours of the 15th and was very sorry to hear that you were unwell. I hope that the next time I hear from you it will be different and I hope that these few lines will find you well and enjoying good health, which they leave me at the present time. I received a letter from Lewis and he stated that he was well and in the same place yet.  Which I am very glad to hear.  He says that Dr. Miller looks bad.   That I don’t agree with him and that he thinks he will resign the first of May. Well, we have to go on guard every six hours now. Last Sunday the orders came for nine of the guard had to go up to Georgetown to do guard duty. So, we have to do the extra duty. But we expect more guard here today, so we will have every other day to ourselves.  
 
Last Wednesday the Doctor examined all of the boys and four of them he pronounced fit for duty. I think they will be sent to their Regiment next Monday. The Doctor examined me and he pronounced me unfit for field duty.  There has been a regular assignment to all of the hospitals in Washington and every man fit for duty had to go. There hasn’t been such a cleaning out of hospitals since the war as it is now. They want every man in the field that is able. And all that isn’t sent now will stay here and do guard duty, etc. They say that all the new Regiments that has been doing duty here leaves Washington today. I think it is right for to send them out and let them have a smell of gun powder.  There is plenty of convalescents to do the duty, he which isn’t fit for field duty. 
 
The only fault I have to find here is that we don’t have very good grub. We did have to stand up and eat until last Thursday and now the carpenters have got to work here and we got them to make benches for us. The grub is some better than it was when we first came here. The Sergeant wrote a letter to the Medical Director about it and he gave orders to let the guard have full rations, but we don’t get it yet. 
 
The carpenter is going to commence next Monday to build our quarters larger. We are going to have our quarters fixed up and we are going to have a large flag to put up on the quarters also. 
 
You wanted to know how soon I will get my pay. I think it will be next month some time. I will have $26.00 due me after this month. The last time I got paid off I got four months’ pay $52.00. I would have sent home more but I owed some.  I sent home $20.00, and Jimmy 50, so you can see how much I had left. I would like to come home first rate. I think that I could do better. I would like to be there and paint the house, etc. and work for Leaphagan.  
 
Well, I hope the time is not far off before I will be home. I don’t know that I can get my discharge for I am able to do light duty. 
 
Well, I shall have to bring my letter to a close. I received a letter from Ellen Smith and she stated that yours was quite smart.  But it is some time ago. Tell Charley to ask Sheldon Hartsock why he don't write to me (direct the same). Oh, yes you never said if you acquainted with Elie Lake.
 
My respect to all.

From your Affectionate Son,
 

Isaac Bevier