Camp Near Point of Rocks Va

Sept 13^th 1864            

 

Dear Phemia

                        I wrote to you on the 11^th inst. and stated in my letter that Charlie was enjoying usual good health. At the time of writing I supposed that was the case for I saw him attending to his duty every day and did not hear him complain of being sick, but it appears he has not felt well for several days, and last night he was taken worse, and this morning he was sent to the hospital. Now dear Phemia I do not write this to give you any unnecessary alarm or anxiety about Charlie, but you know I told you in one of my former letters that if he was sick I would not fail to inform you. I do not know as Charlie would approve of my writing any thing about it if he knew it. He might think it was giving you trouble for nothing and perhaps it is so, but to / fulfill my aggreement with you, I have taken the liberty to write without consulting him. You must not be uneasy respecting him, he will be well cared for where he is. He is in the same ward with Cassius Knapp. Cassius was over here this evening from the hospital and I enquired after Charlie and he seemed to think he was some better this evening. The hospital is not far from our camp and I intend to go and see him tomorrow, and will endeavor to do so before I mail this letter, and will write something more then. Charlie is troubled with the chronic diarrhea, so common in the army, and this morning he complained of a severe pain in his head. But I hope to find him better tomorrow. I would not willingly give you unnecessary pain, dear Phemia, but I thought you would rather know it than to have him sick and be ignorant of it. While he is sick I will write to you often to inform you how he is, and if he is worse, rest asured that I will inform you the earliest oppertunity. 

 

Sept 14^th I have just returned from the hospital. I found Charlie much better than he was yesterday morning and I think he will be well again in a few days. He seemed to be very comfortably situated, and I think will have all the care and medical aid necessary. Now do not be alarmed about him. If I thought you would I should almost regret that I had written to you about his sickness. I carried your letter written to him on the 9^th inst. which seemed to cheer and do him a good deal of good. I intend to see him again tomorrow and expect to find him better, and you may look for another letter soon. I did not tell him about my writing this letter, but when I see him tomorrow I will mention it to him. The pain in his head has nearly left him. Goodbye for the present

                       

Affectionately Your Sincere Friend

Russell F. Wright

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