32nd & 31st Maine Infantry - Wounded at Bethesda Church, VA

Item LTR-7665

Description

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


Chestnut Hill Hospital
Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania

June 12th 1864

Dear Parents,

I seat myself this beautiful Sabbath morning to write you a few lines and to let you know how and where I am.

Since I wrote you last, I have been sent north of this place. Which is about 9 miles from this. We have better accommodations here than at Fairfax. A very fine appearing doctor (Dr. W. G. Foggo). He is very pleasant and kind and the nurses try to do the best they can. Which is as well as a man can ask for. This is the largest hospital in the U.S. covering 28 acres of high land. The buildings are well ventilated and kept very clean. The beds are very nice and soft, with plenty of clothes. They are numbered and accommodate one man. They have a wash room and a bath room! So anyone can wash when he wants to. In fact, everything is here which can make a man comfortable.

My wound is doing first rate. It does not give me any pain except that my neck is a little stiff on one side. Which is getting better. My shoulder is growing stronger fast and I can use it a good deal. The doctor said this morning that I should get a furlough before long. As soon as some come in that are away.

I guess I shall get home by the 4th of July if not before. I had rather have a furlough from here than to be transferred to Maine and then have a furlough. For we have better care here than we would there. Here in Pennsylvania, the people try to treat a soldier decent and they don’t fall short, I assure you. When we were in the cars in Philadelphia, the women, boys and girls went through and through the cars with warm white bread and butter and hot coffee and with large bowls of English Strawberries, which tasted quite good, you may believe. Large baskets full of apples were given us also.

Tell Rosa that a little girl not larger than herself went through the cars with a pitcher of coffee for the soldiers. Here we have bread and butter and coffee and fresh meat for breakfast. I can’t begin to describe the place to you so you would get half an idea.

Tell Diggle I don’t blame him for wanting to live in Philadelphia. For it is the handsomest city I ever saw and the people are the best I ever saw to.

There are quite a lot of Maine boys here. Some of our company are here. Robert Arris and Benjamin Whitan, they are sick. Have been sick ever since they came out here. I must close by bidding you goodbye for the present.

Write soon.


Your affectionate son,

Willie

P.S. Direct:

U.S. Army General Hospital
Chestnut Hill
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(Ward 31)

Write as soon as you receive this.

Willie