McKims Mansion Hospital

Baltimore Md Jan 18, 1863

 

Dear Sister

            I now sit down to write you a few lines. I received those 5 papers that you sent to day. I received your kind letter (and Mother's) yesterday was happy to hear from home. I wrote to Father and Albert on friday which you will probably receive before you do this. I suppose that Evie has received her letter ere this I have not seen or heard from my box yet. Here is a sentence in your letter which I do not exactly understand. it is this, (We received your kind letter last Thursday stating that you expected to leave that day / for Baltimore) I do not see how you could receive it the same day that I wrote it You said you did not send the box till friday, did you send it to Washington or Baltimore I have not received any answer to my letter which I wrote to the postmaster of the Hospital at Washington although perhaps it has not arrived yet You did not write by what express you sent whether by Hill and Co or Adam's You said that you wrote me friday and sent me the receipt I have not got it yet I intend to get a pass to morrow if I can and go into the city and go to the express office and see if it has come I may get a letter from Washington to morrow You wished to know if furloughed sold- / iers pay runs on the same I hear pay runs on the same and they also draw rations money which I believe is 20 or 25 cts a day and in regard to there fare home I think that it cost them nothing but some say it does and some that it does not so I will not be very positive on the matter I think that it will be rather difficult for me to procure a furlough as I understand there is none granted from this place I have not heard of an instance But is there are examinations held on sundays for those that apply for a discharge and those that are well enough sent to their reg't or rather first to the convalescent camp. I think that I shall let well enough alone for the present as I should / might possibly be sent to the latter place if I should apply for an examination. The names of the two men in my company who are with me are James Riddle and Mr S Rowell the latter from Sundown and So Ed Baker has got his discharge I suppose he feels well now. Does his folks get letters from Charley and how is he and Reub. There are a great many Dutchmen here in this Hospital and the Chief managers I guess are Dutch I hope that Sumner is better. There has been a great change in the weather within the last two or three days it is now quite cold but my sheet is nearly full. Tell Father he must be carefull of his health this winter and not work too hard. I forgot to say that my name was taken down for a furlough while at Washington and I expected one but we were moved away and that was the last we heard of it but I must close my love to all from

            William

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