Finley Hospital Washington

D. C. Feb Mar 19^th 1863

 

Dear Mother

 

            I suppose you are beginning to feel concerned because I have not written as often as usual. I am getting along very well and still gaining. I have had rather a bad cold for a few days past but it is better now. I have got over the worst of it. Miss Bacon has received her box and I have got the things you sent to me. The cakes tasted like home. The stationery I can use myself as I have not a very great supply on hand. Cousin George Emerson was over to see me the other day. His regiment is doing guard duty around the convalescent camp over the other side of the Potomac. He staid about an hour and a half I guess. He looks tough and hearty and has no idea of giving up the war yet.

 

I have not been to the city yet since I last wrote to you. We have had a good deal of stormy weather. There are no signs of spring here as yet. There is still some snow on the ground in places where the sun does not have a fair chance at it. I expected to see the trees leaving out by this time, but there are no signs of it as yet. They are now clearing out the hospitals in and around Washington in anticipation I suppose of the coming campaign. /

 

            The soldiers fit for duty are being sent to their regiments. Those who have been in the hospital over three months and are not likely to be fit for duty within thirty days are sent to the hospital nearest their own homes. Quite a number have been sent from this hospital. I have not heard anything about going yet, but if I get along as well as I have I suppose I shall have to start my boots soon. I am getting rather tired of hospital life.

 

One of the boys belonging to our regiment here has been quite sick with inflammation of the lungs but he is better now.

 

The agent of the Massachusetts Relief Association has been up here several times since we have been here and has offered to get us anything we were in need of if it was in his power. He brought us some of Harpers Monthly the other day. They were old ones but new to us and were quite acceptable. He brought up some shirts for our sick comrade and will bring him some jellies and other niceties. He takes the names of all Massachusetts soldiers when they arrive at the hospital the regiment they belong to, their place of residence, and if they have a father living he takes his name also.

 

There are quite a number of Germans here and the other day an agent of theirs from New York was here, and among the articles he brought was tobacco.

 

Those who used it and were out of money and "the weed" were very glad to get it but it seemed to me rather a queer article for a charitable institution to send out. Last night we had kind of a theatrical performance or as you would call it home an exhibition. It was got up by the attendants of the hospital for the amusement entertainment of the patients. 

 

            The exercises were held in the dining room and consisted of the acting of a short play and singing, some comic and some that want comic. There are several ladies connected with the hospital as nurses &c They were present together with the doctors and their wifes (those that have got them) so that on the whole it was quite an affair. This is the second exhibition they have had since I have been here. There are several musicians among the attendants and they have got up a brass band. They favored us with some music at the exhibition.

 

Things go by the tap of the drum here as in the army. We have a drum We get up by it go to our meals by it and go to bed in the same way. And as it is getting to be most time for taps I will now close my letter.

 

from your son E. W. Stacy.

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