Satterlee U.S.A Genl. Hosp

                                                                                                            West Philadelphia Pa

                                                                                                Thursday, Nov. 17^th/64

 

Dear Cousin

                        Sarah; I thought I would write you a few lines and let you know where I am and how I am getting along. It is so long since I have received any letter from you that I have forgotten whether I owe you a letter or you owe me one. be that as it may I will write what little I can think of and then you will owe one surely. I have been wounded. it will be two months day/ after tomorrow. I was wounded in the battle of Opequan Creek near Winchester Sept. 19^th. my wound was doing finely and an Absis gathered just behind my ear and the Dr cut it open & I got the Gangrene in it and it took me down again. It eat a hole in my neck nearly large enough to lay a hens egg in, but it is all out now and I am getting along quite fast again. I was wounded in the head, the ball entering my left cheek between my eye and ear, coming out at the back of my neck. Moke escaped unhurt. our C^o went into the fight with 31 men and lost 20 killed/ and wounded. the reg^t lost 190 killed & wounded. just one month from that day they had a hard fight at Cedar Creek the 19^th of Oct. there they lost 114 more making 304 killed & wounded in our reg^t in a month. In the last fight our C^o lost 10 or 11 more but they have had some recruits. Our Col. was wounded three times in the first fight and our Lieut. Col. was killed in the last one. Moke escaped again without a scratch. I tell you Cousin our reg^t got cut up badly both times, but the Gen. gives them a big name. He says there never was a braver reg^t left York State nor can a braver one leave it. their/ loss shows that stood it pretty well.

 

One of the Staff Officers said in the first fight the 114^th saved the army from defeat. our men were retreating fast & in great confusion, when our reg^t went in, but we soon stopped the “Johnies” and sent them a kiting the other way. Well Cousin Sarah I have written about all I can think of and now I think you owe me a letter. Give my love to Uncle & Aunt, Cousins Grandfather & Grandmother and a share yourself. there is enough to go around. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, as ever

 

P.S. Direct to                                                              Your Affectionate Cousin.

            Satterlee U.S.A. Gen’l Hospital                                             Sid.

                        West Philadelphia Pa. Ward 1.

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