Chestnut Hill Hosptl,

Philadelphia Pa,

Feb 11^th 1865

 

            I will write a few lines from another hospital thinking I shall stay here long enough to get a letter from home. it has been some time since I got a letter. the last one was marked Jan. 17^th. I got here yesterday. I wrote you last sunday I think from Annapolis but did not stop long enough to get an answer. I left Annapolis on tues. last and came as far as Baltimore and staid there until wednesday PM at 3 oclock and then we took the cars for Philadelphia and got in / about 10 oclock and went to the citizens Vol. Hospital and stayed all night and then came here. I am mistakoned about leaving Annapolis. it was wednesday instead of tuesday. I guess this is a good hospital. it is spoken well of by every one I hear speak of it. I was glad to get here for I dont like to be moving all the time. I want to get into one place or another. we had quite a good place at Annapolis but in Baltimore we was put into the hospital with Reb prisoners and it was all lice and bed bugs. it beat all mater how the would bite & bark.

 

            The ward I am in is I should think about 75 or 80 ft long and has got 60 beds in it, 30 on each side, and 4 good / stoves, and I guess they live pretty well here.

 

            How do you make it getting soldiers. do you get any. time is growing nigh when there is to be a draft and I suppose that will help some of them out wont it.

 

is Selden at home now. what does he think of it. he thinks he might as well stay where he is dont he. well I guess he had if he can, for it aint much fun. then again it is. I have been humped some but I never have seen the time that I was sory I had enlisted, and I dont believe I shall. I understand they have been fighting a little down in front of Petersburg and that the P^a Corps had a finger in it. I suppose the 1^st Me H.Q. / did too, but I did not nor did not care about it.

 

Have you got the wood all up yet. I should think you had got a small trim aint you.

 

have you got a house keeper yet I hope you have and a good one to.

 

I cannot write much to day I thought I would write a little and let you know where I am. I am getting along very well. I am no worse than I have been nor much better as I see

 

write soon and all the news send a small Green Back if you please and a very few stamps. I think our getting any more pay from Uncle Sam is about played out

                                   

J. A. Dowst

U.S.A. Gen Hospital

Chestnut Hill

Phila, Pa.

ward 13 bd. 7

 

write as soon as you get this

                        J.A. Dowst

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