No 4

Field Hospital 3^rd Division

near Petersburg

Sept 1^st 1864

 

My Dear Friends,

                        I received yours of the 23 this morning, and haveing nothing to do just now I thought that I would answer. My last was written when I was stoping at Regimental Hd Qurs but the next day I was sent back to our division Hospital where I have been ever since. I am a great deal better now than I was then, excepting my ankle that is going to bother me considerable. This last was to hard a pull on it and it has broke out again and commenced to swell badly. The Col said that I had better stay here untill it begins to get better but I have not shown it to any of the Surgeons yet but will if / it dont improve shortly. I was very glad to hear from you both by letter & those papers. by the former I know what has been going at in the Home circle, the latter what the City is doing. I suppose that the tax will have to be payed fo on the $10,000 What will be the tax on our land & what is due to the City now. I wish you would let me know. I found Katies name in the Morton, among other young ladies. how does she succeed, what will they do, that is going to help us? I dont think that there will be any use of your trying to send a box through, although one would be gladly received.

 

            You see it would might be delayed at Washington & again it might come right through.

 

            Where are those pictures or rather Photographs that Mrs. Ballard was going to let me have of Lida & Nena /

 

I have not got my album full yet but if I had all of the pictures that were promised it would be more than full. You must get Mr Does for me. You said you would. and then there is Mary Marsh and others that I want. I wish you would go to Hawleys & get another dozen struck off & send to me. have them darker. the smallest kind, only head & shoulders, get good ones if you can. if there are (this is for Katie) any one or more young ladies that want to exchange, Katie can do it. I dont care though, she need not do it.

 

            We are haveing very warm weather, are doing nothing but fortifying & making our position on the Railroad stronger.

 

All are waiting anxiously to hear from the Chicago Convention, great many believe that we will have peace / before November elections. I hope we will but it must be honorable with no consessions on our side but what are right. I think things look very much that way just now. I think that both sides would hail the "word" with gladness. I know of one that would.

 

We are having good news from Mobile we are slowly but shurely pressing them back.

 

I was sorry to learn of Capt. Turners being wounded. I realy hope that he will come out all right.

 

I dont know what I should have done sometimes there in Madison when it was so lonesome. we would go off riding or boating and then he was up in camp great deal when I was drilling. I hope he will get well.

 

You must excuse this letter for I am tired. this is the fourth one I have written since dinner and there is very little to write about

 

            Give my respects to all who enquire especially to Mrs Ballards folks

 

Love to all the folks at home write me soon. Yours as ever

                                                                                   

Frank Phelps

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