In Camp—General Hospital Smoke Town

near Keedysville 10 Ock P.M Oct 15. 1862—

 

Dear Madam

                        I have after so long a time at last found your Husband.

 

                        I did not when I wrote you last night think to find Fred alive. But I find him getting along nicely. He has evry comfort that a man can have. To be sure he is in a tent out of doors. But, I find at all the Hospitals they give a preference to a tent rather to a regular wood building. Fred's leg is taken off about half way between the ankle & knee. It is healing very fast & he thinks that in the coming 4 or 5 weeks to be stamping home. The Surgeon of his Ward gave me a very polite invitation to camp with him; & I of course accepted it for there is no public house within 8 miles. How I am to get back to Hagerstown I do not know. I have been on the battlefield to day saw the tree where Fred was carried to after being wounded

 

            I think there is no sort of danger but what he will be at home in a few weeks. I could write you more but it is now rather late so I bid you good bye

                                               

Very Truly                  Rufus Nichols.—

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