Edwin Benedict to Mary E. Ambler, 5 August 1863
No 27
St Louis Hospital
August 5th 1863.
My Dear Mary
I had thought I had writen the last letter home that I should from this City & more espetialy from this Hos. but man perposes and God disposes. here I am yet but I am very thankful to be able to write I am nearly well but not quite strong yet it will be a month the 6 since I came here I went out & walked about the city yesterday for the first time I was prety tired when I got back my legs are sore this morning but I shal get used to it after walking out a few times. I went to the market deturmined to have / a dinner once more I first ordred a plate of sauceage cup of coffee then a plate of fresh beef stew pleanty of bread then a peace of custard pie cup of tea that was as much as I could manage paid 35 cts I can eat every thing I can get hold of I want to get home & get a good plate of cold pork & tater they are geting the Regt together as fast as they can up the river I expect Cap Jenkins here today to take what men there is here able to go up with him. the Doc thinks I had better not go up quite yet but have them send for me before they go and not leave me I think I shal go up the first of next week. I have herd they had sent for the paroled men that they wer gouing home with us / we have all mad up our minds we shal have to stay till the 14 and how soon we shal get of after that there is no knowing I hope it will not be meany days I keep up prety good courage hopeing we shal get home this year. I received a letter from you one from Mother one from Em & George the 28 of July Ems letter made me feel anccious to get home she said Father was trying to get along alone & loocked care worn I want to bee there to help him I hope he will not work himself sick. about A Tailor I have not seen him for a long time but think he is all rite and will come home when the rest do so I expect the Taunton boys are all rite they wer sent to Ship Iseland so that I know nothing certain about them I want to thank Mother for her letter I had not thought of her forgeting me I know she cant do that
Em writes that Hattie is very contented with her & that she grows so fast I shal not know her I am glad to hear she is so well I think when I get there she will be ready to make pies & keep house for Papa the account you give of Uncle Mores famely is certainly a modle home and one I have long wished for & one that meany a time in the lonely night wach I have pictured to myself for my own dear famely. God grant to spare us & give us grace & love to live a life devoted to his servace without one word to mar our happyness but that we may have that perfect love hope & faith chastened by carity will not a life spent in this maner bee most pleasant & agreable dear Mary let us hope & pray for such a home
Love to all dear ones at home from Ed
8626
DATABASE CONTENT
(8626) | DL1434.019 | 119 | Letters | 1863-08-05 |
Tags: Family, Food, Home, Hospitals, Illnesses, Money, Paroles/Paroled Troops, Religion
People - Records: 2
- (3313) [writer] ~ Benedict, Edwin
- (3315) [recipient] ~ Ambler, Mary Esther ~ Benedict, Mary Esther ~ Sherwood, Mary Esther
Places - Records: 1
SOURCES
Edwin Benedict to Mary E. Ambler, 5 August 1863, DL1434.019, Nau Collection