20th Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-11665

Description

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


Hospital, 17^th Army Corps
Marietta, Georgia
 
Tuesday evening
August 17, 1864
 
Friends at home,
 
I wrote to you only a few days ago.  But I heard some bad news from Martin today.  And it maybe you have not heard from him.  So, I will let you know all I can from him.  I received a few lines from Reed Runyan today stating that Martin was wounded.  He had lost both of his thumbs, shot off, and a flesh wound in the arm above the elbow.  It is a bad wound.  Still, it could have been worse.
 
The boys of our company whose time is out, came in today and are here waiting for transportation home.  The rebels have destroyed the railroad between this place and Chattanooga.  And they may be obliged to stop here a few days.  But they expect to go tomorrow.  Reed Runyan is not with the rest of the boys.  As his time is not quite out yet.  The boys say they seen some of the boys of Martin’s company and said Martin was working on the breastworks when he was wounded.  I do not know at which hospital Martin is at, but suppose he is still at the field hospital and I expect he will be sent to this place or farther north soon.  I will do all I can to get to see him.  I am able to get about by carrying my arm in a sling.
 
Well, I almost forgot to tell you, I expect to start for home in a few days on furlough.  As we are of no account here and they want us to go home out of the way.  Only a few of us are going at present.  Two of the Fredericktown boys are going with me and one to Mt. Vernon.  We will not likely get our papers in time to go with the non-veterans but our furloughs are sent to headquarters to be signed and will be back in a few days.  You must not look for me until you see me.  For if General Blair should refuse to sign our furlough, we will stop where we are awhile yet.  I thought I had best accept a furlough as times passes very slow with me at the hospital.  I hope Martin will get home soon and no doubt he will.  I suppose he is done soldiering.  You must not feel uneasy about him.  His wound is not dangerous and he will be well taken care of and will get along as well as if some of you was with him.
 
My hand is still very sore, but is doing well.  Well, it is not necessary for me to write much this time.  If I get home as I expect, I can tell you the news.  I have not had a letter from any of you since I wrote last.  I suppose the reason is the railroad is destroyed and I suppose it must be repaired before you get this.  Do not write again until you see me or hear from me again.  No more this evening.
 
Respectfully yours,
 
George W. Modie
 
I have not heard from Dave Bruce but suppose his is all right yet, as I have not account of him being hurt.  Reed Runyan got a light soup spilled in the bargain.  It appears that I and Martin have all our bad luck at once after going through so many hard fights.  But the fortunes of war are very uncertain.  But I am willing to try my luck again soon as I am able.