Massachusetts Soldiers' Relief Association,

 

October 9 1862

 

Mrs Spencer

                        Your note of the 7^th is at hand. In reply would say I saw Frederic Swarman Co E 12 Regiment last week at Hoffman Farm Hospital near Keedysville Maryland He doubtless is still there. he would not have been carried to Hagerstown as none were being carried there and but very few remained there at that time

 

            His leg was amputated consequently he could not be moved to any distance.

 

All the wounded that could be move about the field of the / late battle would be collected into the general Hospital at Smoketown not far from the Hoffman mentioned above

 

            Among all I saw it is difficulty to recollect the exact features of every case but he then was doing well I think

 

            Yet I should not be surprised to learn of his death, as wounds of that nature and in circumstances such as then surrounded him are uncertain in their results. Please understand me; I recollect no particularly unfavorable circumstance in his case why he should not recover There is no doubt in my mind he is still at the Hoffman Hospital.

 

If Mrs Swarman thinks best to go to him, she will have to go to Frederick (see next page) / Maryland by rail from there to Boonboro by stage. at Boonboro she will find some conveyance to Keedysville where her husband is a distance of 4 miles from Boonboro

 

            I think I have given direction so she can find the way if any further advice is needed will gladly give it

                                                                                   

Yours Respectfully

Gardiner Tufts

Mass State Agent

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