McVeigh Hospital first Ward

Alexandria VA.

March 31^st/1864

 

Dear Parents

            I am yet gaining strength and Improving as fast as I Can Expect to I have Paines through my Breast but the Doctors is helping me evry day of it I think I shall get over it soon I hope so anyway for I want to be with my Company doing my duty I feel here sometimes like a burden to our Government, but that is not right the soldier is not to blame for being sick I sent Ann a letter Dated the 29^th the same day I got one from her Dated the 12^th the Date of the first letter I got from Ann is dated the 19 of Feb. the letters you and she wrote to Grand Rappids I have never got. I have Rec. five letters from Ann one from you one from Eliza

 

            they may be on the road yet Comeing somewhere you will get all of my letters because they are all sent to one place but the letters you write me I cannot expect to get them all while being in so many Diferent places Ann writes me that she and the children are going to live with you. I know it will be a great deal better and easier pleasenter for her but I am afraid that some of the family will be gealous and think that you are supporting her and the Children for me. She has got enough with what I shall send her from time to time to keep her and the Children Comfortable and I want the rest to know it, but you and she must suit yourelves about that, whatever suits her suits me I hope you have got a good man to work the farm for you, so you will not have to work so hard as you have been in the habit of Working heretofore Ann writes that thare has three Women and one man died thereabouts since I Came away but she does not tell who they are When she writes to me, tell me who they be, and tell me how often and the Different Dates of the letters she rec. from me then I Can tell if she rec. them all and how long they are going as I sit down the date on evry letter I write in my Book home I hear that our Regiment has been having a skirmish with Mosbys men on the Rapidahm River some of our men being killed and wounded I feel anxious to know who they are I shall write if it is anyone you know it has rained here for two days and nights now making the roads almost impassible for teams it will stop the Army from moving for a few days the roads here when they are muddy are just like Grease sticking to Evrything it touches which soon makes them impassible for Artilery

 

PS        I hear nothing from the Boys yet am waiting Patiently to hear I am in hopes they are among the Exchanged Prisoners

 

            tell Eliza I shall write her soon give my love to all kiss the Babies for me and Remember me while life remains

                                                your Affectionate Son

                                                            Lyman A. Griffith

 

be Careful and not work to hard, write to me Mother all the news            L.A.G.

SOURCES