3rd New Hampshire Infantry - Wounded at Deep Bottom Run, VA - NEW

Item LTR-11757

Description

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


Grant, U.S. Hospital
Willett’s Point, New York Harbor
October 20th, 1864
 
Dear Father,
 
Tis with pleasure that I now take my pen in hand to write you a few lines. I'm getting along pretty well and my wound is healing up, but I don't know what to think of it. The doctor looked at it this morning and then got his knives and lanced and set out to cut into my wound, but he did not. I think he thinks there is some broken bone in my leg, but he won't tell me whether there is or not. I think if the doctor will let my wound alone, it will soon be healed up, but I am afraid he will cut it open again. If he doesn't, I shall go to the front as soon as it is healed over. I am tired of staying here.
 
I got two letters from my regiment yesterday. They all want me to come back as soon as I can.
Charles Tauton sent me the rest of that money you sent me when I was first wounded. My regiment is within six miles of the city of Richmond, but there is but a few of them left. I think it is rather hard that I can't come home after getting shot, but I shan't moan about it if I do not get sick or get shot again. I shall get home sometime.
 
I hope I shall be spared to get home safe again, for I have got a good many things to live for. I have suffered enough, and I would like to have a place of my own and settle down and take some comfort. But all I can do is hope for the best and take what comes. I am afraid we have got to have four more years of war, and it will be hard if we do.
 
Receive your kind letter today and my friend's letter. Please write soon, for I shall try and go to the front as soon as you send me the money I wrote for. As I have no news to write, I will close with love to all. 
 
From your son, 
Sergeant Charles Gammon