White Hall U.S.G.H.

Feb. 4^th/65

 

Dear Father:

                        As I have plenty of time to write, having "All the time there is" I think that I can not be better employed than in writing something to you, provided that it is not altogether foreign to our common thoughts and interests. I have not recd. any letters from home yet, hope to soon. We have been cleaning and arranging the ward this A.M. preparatory to an expected inspection. Everything is ready and I am sitting by my bed to which belongs a stand and chair. Everything is arranged for the convenience & comforts of the patients. I am getting along admirably, rather uneasy though I do not care to stay here after I am able to be of service elsewhere / Of all specimens of soldierly humanity these so called "Dead Beats" are the most despicable and I am not going to keep them company when I can help it. Of course there are some of them here. And they are the ones that get discharged. One fellow in this ward yesterday received his discharge and proceeded to Philada. for his pay. He never saw the front and has enlisted and then discharged twice. Numerous similar instances can be recorded. There seems to be great fear that those who have been faithful in the discharge of duty and have risked their lives in our sacred cause and have been wounded and nigh unto death, for the sake of the great good which they expect their sacrifices will bring to their country, complaining not without great cause, regretting nothing. These I say it seems as though the authorities fear to discharge lest their places will forever be vacant. I do not speak for myself for there are many here who can be of less service to the U.S. by reason of severer wounds than mine and they keep them.

SOURCES