U. S. Gen. Hospital

Turners Lane Phila Pa

April 8^th 1865

 

Respected Friends.

I rec'd a letter from you yesterday and now seat my self to answer it I still stop in the Hospital and rally round the flag that has an H. on it. I am on duty to day, go on guard every other day, and I dont mind if I stop a few days longer, untill they get done fighting which I think will be soon.

 

            We are having good news now. it was reported yesterday that Lee had surendered himself and army, but I / hardly believe it as it is not confirmed to day. there has been great excitement in the city for a week past.

 

            I want to hear from Selden and see if he has been in the last battle. I hardly think he was able by what you wrote me. I hope he is all right. There was about 700 wounded came here to Phila. yesterday. if you hear of any one of the Vienna boys being here you let me know where they are and I can go and see them. we was payed tuesday. I got only $32. two months pay. I shall not send any home now as Geo Smith wants to get some as he was not paid. he was not here muster day /

 

you wrote me one thing that almost made me mad, and that was that them cowardly green horns (Graves and Wait) had contracted in the hospital to take care of sick and wounded soldiers. what do they know? it aint their place. they wont hire a man here unless he has been a soldier. I would like to see Marsh Graves come around this hospital as nurse and put on some of his airs. he would get his nose flatened I bet. why not enlist and be a soldier or else keep away from them and go to work: because he is a lazy coward, or any other man I dont care who they are. I would rather have a black negro take care of me / than one of them

 

but then never mind, no mater whether a soldier is taken care of or not. how would you like to have Marsh or press Wait take care of you if you was sick? that is what is the mater! I would tell them the same if I had a chance, and I hope I will some day

 

Yours

J. A. D.

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