Patterson Park Hospital Baltimore

Md. April 5, 1863

 

Dear Father

            I now sit down to pen you a few lines hoping they will find you in good health. I received a letter from Martha and Charley on thursday and I also sent one the same day. Martha wrote me that they were to move this week, and that Charley was to stop a short time and board with Mrs. Smith. I received a letter from you on the 24^th and wrote you on the 25^th which you I suppose received ere this. We are having regular march weather it set in yesterday to snow and blow and was quite cold it was snowing still this morning. You need not look for me at home for some time yet as I wrote you that I was examined. And I have learned that there has been / an order issued not to discharge any more soldiers that are able to do any light duty around the hospital. I have not seen yesterday's paper containing it but that I think will play out soon. I have been here now most two weeks. There is a few NH boys here two belong to the 9^th and 3 or 4 to the 5^th and 6^th. Does Mrs Smith hear from her boys now? I do not think of much more to write to night.

 

Wed' April 8 1863

           

Dear Father,

                        You see that I have not left yet. There was a squad of 108 men sent from here to the Army of the Potomac I do not know when they will send us but am ready to go when they are a mind to send me. There has been quite a lot of Rebel prisoners sent through this city. There was one squad of from 4 to 600 and day before yesterday there was 2,000 passed through on their way to Fort Lafaette. I did not see / them but those that did represent them as very ragged and dirty some hatless. They arrived at the Camden St Station from Washington and came from Tennessee. We are drilled now twice a day here just for exercise by marching around the streets. One of the nurses here received a letter from his brother in law in front of Fredericksburg who says they are kept strict and drilled six hours a day, and says they have received marching orders two or three times, and are making great preparations for another fight, and I expect we will hear news of a battle there soon. he also says the pickets are twelve rods from the reb' pickets and trade with them ours giving them coffee in exchange for tobacco. Did you receive my letter of the 25^th yet? But I have not much more news to write. I will write a few lines to Albert from

William /

           

Dear Brother Albert

                        As I have not written you for some time I will now write you a few lines although I do not think of much to write How do you like the idea of moving? I suppose you like it first rate You no doubt will have better schooling at Malden. You must learn all you can I have not left yet and I do not know how soon I shall. You must write me. tell Martha to write often

 

My love to all

Wm. W. Fish

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