[Letterhead: Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi,

Office Provost Marshal General,]

                                                                        [Nashville, Tenn.,] July 11^th [1864.]

 

My dear brother.—

I have not heard from you for some time and had I not met with M^r Freeman last week who told me he had “seen” you very recently & that you looked well, I should fear you were ill again.—

 

Of the late losses of the 74^th you are long since informed and I can not say anything new on that matter. Capt. Bacon of C^o G. is here in the Officers Hospital and very badly off. He had to have his right arm closely amputated yesterday and the Surgeon considers his chances of dying as nine out of ten. An absess has formed clean up in the arm & he thinks it will reach into his lungs & he then cannot be saved. He has suffered (very/terribly & bore it all with the greatest heroism,—he is a man, every inch of him.—I am with him all I can be & attend to his wants outside. I really hope, he will live through it yet.—Nieman went home last Thursday; he has a healthy wound and is doing well.—The wounded in Hospitals are dying off fast,—one out of four is a low average.—The weather is bad for them,—hot & sultry.—

 

From Sarah I hear frequent and very cheering intelligence it is. The children enjoy the best of health and are as happy as they well can be;—and so is Sarah.—

 

I changed to Stockdale’s Office to day & think, I have every reason to be glad of it.—Direct your letter (though I think, I have already stated it once)/to

 

Office Prov. Mar. Gen^l

            Mil. Div. of the Miss.

                        Nashville.—

Much love to Lona;—I hope she is well.—

Write soon.—

Affectionately

            Your brother

                        Edward.

 

Business no doubt is preplexing, and I expect you are worrying about it, but I trust not too much; you have been sailing close & will be prepared for the “collapse” when it comes.—Government pays $3⁵⁰ for Turpentine here.—I wish you & I had a thousand Barrels of it to sell,—costing the old rate.—

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