Oct. 5^th 1864

 

McDougall Gen Hospt. Fort Schuyler NY

 

Dear Father.

                        On the third day of this month I reached this place and a dull place it is. On the night of the 28^th of last month I was used up pretty well by a morter. I was in a bum prooff. the shell fell right in, and exploded not more than two inches from me. my blouse has more than a dozen holes in it. I cant see how I escaped. my back is all black and blue, my right hand was all one blister, but is a good deal better now. I couldn^t see out of my right eye for a few days, but is a great deal better now. my bugle was knocked/ all to pieces. In fact every thing I had on was handled pretty rough. the next morning my head was swelled up so that I could not ware a 7 1/2 hat. I expect to be all right in two or three weeks. my back is sore anough yet. I would a great deal sooner be with the Regiment than here. this is a very dull place, and if I can, will be transferred to our own state but expect we will have a poore show. They might as well send us home to vote at any rate. Every person that saw the place I was laying say they cant see how I excaped. every thing around me was knocked to pieces. a piece went in my/ knapsack that will way over half a pound. they dont cetch me in any more bum proofes unless I think they are strong anough, the roofe of the one I was in had two layers of oak logs each ten inches thick and two foot and a half of ground on top of the logs. the shell a twenty four pounder went right through the roof as if it was nothing

 

                        I must bring this to a close as writing goes hard with me at this time. I wish they would give me a furlough, but expect soldiers from our state have a poore chance here.

 

            This war will be brought too a close this fall. when I left the front the whole/ Army had orders to move

 

                                                            Give my love to all

                                                                        Your Son

                                                            Henry C Metzger

 

                                                McDougall Gen Hospt

                                                            Fort Schuyler

                                                                        N.Y.

                                                Ward 4. Section C

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