Armory Square Hospital

May 23^d 1864

           

Respected Friends

            Yours of the 19^th in^st just came to hand.

 

            I am more than willing to answer all questions which you may ask concerning Waldo as far as I can though I am sorry to say it will be far from satisfactory

 

            You ask first concerning his burial of which I know but little as I was not present W^m Hall and Nahum Farmer told me that they burried him near where he fell under a tree which was in a vast forest some two miles from any cleared land I do not know whether they had any thing to mark the spot or not / think if they did it would be very difficult to find it, if not it would be almost impossible to find him as there must have been a great many burried near him for the ground was thickly strewn with the dead I will write W^m H about it and inform you of the result ]

 

            As regards his thoughts and feelings on that terrible day I am still more ignorant. He said nothing before we were called into line which was about 3 AM. After that I saw him but once before he was killed ]

 

My place being at the fort and his near the upper end of the line

 

            I attempted to draw out his feelings the night before but found him to reserved, the same as usual

 

            It would have been a greatdeal pleasanter to me if he had have been more free with me but I learned at last to overlook it and judge / by his acctions, and from those I believe him to have been prepared for the change

 

            Said Nahum F. on learning that he had fallen "if any one was prepared for it he was"

 

He was thought a greatdeal of in the Co, and all felt keenly his fall, myself especially as dear a friend when I left home as I had and still more dear in the camp, my only constant mate. The question frequently comes up in my mind why was he taken and I left

 

Surely Gods ways are unsearchable and past finding out. ]

 

            Those things which he left I have with me here. I have the promise of a furlough when able and if I get it I will bring them if not I will send them

If there is anything more which I can do please to let me know / I will gladly do anything you wish.

 

My wound is doing first rate I walked across the room this morning on crutches but cannot touch my left foot to the floor yet.

 

Hoping the Lord will comfort you all in this hour of trial and deep affliction and fill the place of the dear departed one             

 

I remain your Friend

J. F. Haskell

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