United States Hospital           

Newark N.J.

Oct 8^th 1862

 

Dear parents

                                    I rec'd your letter last eve and as I am not very much harred with business I will just answer it. My health is no better than it was a week ago. the Dr. is giving me 3 diferent kinds of medicine which I suppose he intends to either kill or cure but I dont believe they will do either one. I am able to go about some but cannot walk far. I had a visit from Mr. Faulks last Sat. he came over thirty miles to see me and is coming again soon. Your letter contained considerable good news I am glad that you have got the farm work along so well but I should like to know how the crops turn out, all of them, why didnt you keep the money which I left at home for your own use there is no reason why you should not have all the clothes you need and I intended that you should use the remainder of the money after my debts were paid.

 

Parker told me that if you needed the 8$ per month you would draw it or if you needed only 4$ you would draw that or if you did not need anything you would not draw anything but you are not obliged to sacrifice anything so if you need any money from the state just pitch in and get it. I have not yet recd. the letter in which you sent the 5$. I suppose it is in N.Y. at the Medical directory when I shall get it I dont know I have a little left yet dont put yourself to much trouble to send me money for I can get / along with a very little here but I always want a few dollars by me. I am glad to hear that the Lempster boys in the 9^th are all alive it more than I expected I saw Marshall Hurd when I was on Arlington Heights I think he was a good soldier and if he has fallen in the cause I hope the Lempster people will at least do his memory justice. I think that Bill Spaulding is about the smallest specimen of a man that Lempster has to blush for. I wish he was obliged to take my place in the ranks while I am sick which is in the front rank at the head of the first platoon only I believe he would run & I can say that I didnt, but enough of this. You write as though I could come home at any time it is not so however. I do not know as I shall be discharged at / all. Still I may be or if not I may get home on furlough as I understand that they are going to grant furloughs soon as the soldiers are paid off. there are about 16 or 17 hundred sick and wounded soldiers here and of course those who have been here longest will be discharged first and if I am discharged at all it will be some time before they get to me. I may get well you know but I have pretty much given that up though if I was at home I think I might get as well as I used to be in time. Dont worry about me for I have some good friends here and can spend the days out of the hospital when I feel able to go. There is a widow lady who visits here daily and always comes to see me who gave me an invitation to spend as much time at her house as I pleased. she is without family and is quite wealthy I can get a pass out at any time when I am able to go. She about mothers age and strongly reminds me of her but good day and write when you get this. direct as before.                                   

W. E. Way

 

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give my respects to M. Chace and tell her to write to me again if she will

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