Patterson Park Hospital 

Baltimore Md Apr 28 1863

           

Dear Mother

                        I now sit down to pen you a few lines. I am well and hope this will find you the same. I have received no letter from home since friday the 17^th. I wrote Martha on saturday the 25^th We had a fine day yesterday but it commenced to rain shortly after after noon to day. I wrote Charley a good long letter sunday. Which I hope he will get. I received a Weekly Mirror yesterday from Thos Gay. There is to be a squad leave here to morrow at 6½am. I understand for the Potomac. And I also understand that the 9^th Corps is also to leave to morrow. And for that reason I concluded to pen a few lines this evening so to have it ready to drop into the Office. Well we have been here some little time now. We came / on the 24^th of last month and have been here five weeks to day. I am in hopes I will get a letter to morrow before I leave. If Martha wrote according to promise, it must have been delayed on the road. You must have been very busy since you have moved Well Mother you must consider it as all for the best, that I am to leave for the west, as I have been away from my reg't since the 16^th Dec. and have had good shelter and living during the winter compared to what the boys in the front have. I am now heavier than I have ever been before. What do you think my weight is. I weighed myself to night and my weight is 146½ lbs. I am well supplied with clothing and can get more at the Union Relief if I wish it. But there is one thing I am rather short of funds but will perhaps get some by and by. I think likely I can sell my undershirts when I get to the reg't as I will not need them much / longer. I see there is an interesting letter in the Mirror from the 11^th reg't. It is the opinion of many in Baltimore that this war will be ended by June. I hope from the bottom of my heart it will. The boys the letters regds are in good spirits. How are all the folks and children? The boys are all are glad to get away from the Hospital. I do not think of much more to write to night. I understand now that the reason we did not leave here the friday after we came is owing to a blunder of the Major. We were to meet a squad from Fort Marshal, in the city but did not but I will drop for the night. from William.

 

Thursday Apr' 30, 1863

           

Dear Mother

                        We are still here. One squad of over 50 went away at a few minutes past six yesterday morning and we expected to leave soon after but still remain. This is a pleasant day The National Fast day. It / begins to look much like spring to see the flowers. I do not know whether we will get off to day, or not. I shall endeavor to write the first favorable oppurtunity and give you an account of my journey. We shall probably go by way of Harrisburg Pittsburg to Cincinnatti and from thence down into Kentucky. I have not received any letter from home for nearly two weeks and am anxious to hear. Now I hope you will write often. As I write twice a week. Some of the NY reg'ts are now on their way home their time having expired. I see in the Mirror in a letter that friends writing to the soldiers must direct to give reg't division and corps and send all letters via Cincinnatti Ohio. But I will close for the present My love to all the folks and children from your affect Son               William

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