Elbridge Howe to Harriet C. Stevens, 26 December 1862
Newbern NC Dec 26/62
Friend Harriet
The most of my time is ocupied in takeing care of Albert but as I have a few spare moments this evening will spend them in writeing you
Albert is getting along as well as could be expected but it will be a several months before he can use his arm. I am it in hopes he will get a furlough as soon as he is able to ride so far
The room that he is in at the hospital has sixty-eight wounded men in it/ but it is neat and kept in the best of order. they have some felmale nourses but the most of them are male. He had a very hard time after he was wounded before he reached Newbern which was five days. but he is getting along quite well now walks out every day
Yesterday was Christmas and one of the best days that I have seen in the Army. we had for diner roast turkey and plumb pudding. I carried some down to Albert. In the evening I went to see the N York Minstrells they preformed in the city
You enquired how I should like liveing at the south. I think it would be very pleasant liveing here in the winter/ if it was not for this d- war. You wrote of haveing some of Julias photographs. why did you not send me one. what sise are they if you can send one in a letter do so at once. The ambrotype which I brought is most spoiled. I can cary a photograph better than an ambrotype
You also wrote that you had not heard from me for a long time this is the fifth letter I have written you since the 11th Oct. You ought to write me two for every one you receive from me for I am sure it is twise the trouble for me to write than it is for you. I am now siting on my bunk with a piece of board across my knees writing you. I believe I wrote you of my lame/ hand it is well now and I am enjoying good health.
I am glad to hear that the English be is prospering thought there would have to be a change in the officers befor they would have much of a campaign
Sylvester is wel he is expecting a box from home.
I am getting near the n of end of this sheet and so must be drawing to a close The last letter that I received from you was a very good one. hope I shall rece such ones oftener
Excus poor writing for this is written in haste Yours &c Elbridge Han[?]
[front margin] I have allmost had the blues for a week or two past
it seems lonesom at the Barrecks without Albert he used to bunk with me
Private I would say that I was sick of the Army if it would do any good but it would not so good by
Elbridge
DATABASE CONTENT
| (2226) | DL0441 | 34 | Letters | 1862-12-26 |
Letter From Sergeant Elbridge Howe, 24th Massachusetts Infantry, New Bern, North Carolina, December 26, 1862, to Harriet C. Stevens, East Brookfield, Massachusetts; Accompanied by Cover
Tags: Camp/Lodging, Christmas, Food, Furloughs, Hospitals, Injuries, Mail, Music, Photographs, Recreation
People - Records: 2
Places - Records: 2
SOURCES
Elbridge Howe to Harriet C. Stevens, 26 December 1862, DL0441, Nau Collection
