Campbell Hospital (1862

Washington D.C. Dec 22

 

Dear Mother

            As I have plenty of time I now sit down to pen you a few lines. I wrote Father last thursday you have I suppose received it by this time. I have received no letter from since two weeks ago yesterday and that was a month old an old mail that was brought by our Sutler. The letter of the latest date received was dated the 23d Nov and contained some pills &c. I received it the 28^th. I expect I have one at camp I wrote to Gill yesterday requesting him to foreward any letter /

                                               

(look to the third page

that arrived for me sent him an envelope already addressed. My heel is some better than it was it was not much of a flesh wound it was a sort of a bruise. The weather is cool and cloudy. I expect in a few days to go into the city or rather on to the street and see the Elephant. The Hospital is a little out of the bustle of the city. I see by the the papers that part of the wounded were sent to New York and Philadelphia I also learn that the Soldiers in the Hospitals are to have a Christmas dinner provided them I see that they have got our loss at the late battle considerably decreased and that the proportion of killed to wounded is comparitavely small. I see that we have achieved quite a victory at Kingston N.C. I would like well enough to be at home on Christmas and take dinner with you all but you may expect me home to help fire our little cannon on Fourth of July. There is about sixty wounded in this ward that I am in. To explain a little the Hospital is composed of a number of long one story buildings called wards we have wrought iron bedsteads with mattresses and sheets pillow blanket and coverlet. You of course have a full account of the Fredericksburg battle You doubtless have read of the death of Rev. Arthur B. Fuller who was killed at Fredericksburg. I saw his remains. But I must close as I do not think of much / more to write Please write as soon as you receive this as I am anxious to hear all the news from home write all the news you can my love to all

 

From Your Affectionate Son

William

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