Memphis Tennessee Jan 3^rd 1863

 

Dear Miriam

                        I wrote aletter to yesterday requesting you to come and nurse me until I got well at the time of writing I did not see the unreasonableness and the absurdity of the request it would be agreat comfort to me of course to have you put your cool soft hand on my fevered brow You would hardly be justified in leaving home and coming five hundred and thirty five miles leaving and likely as not loosing your boarders. I feel considerably better to day I was verry sick last night and nearly crazy and no one to speak to the boys will do anything that I ask them to for me that is not the thing I need some one to sympathise with me. The hospital Matron was verry kind and accommodating she said that if I was sick and did not come to the hospital she would come here to quarters and prepare anything that I might want but she is like the rest of them verry forgetful. I had alittle Christmas the surgeon gave us nurses and cooks some whiskey and we had some pies for dinner something verry unusual with us and a tolerable good dinner About them hogs that infernal scoundrel advertised if you can you had better pay the cost get the hogs and kill them for your own use if they would be fit for meat whatever you do dont let him keep them take your own part there are some people in that neighborhood that will take every advantage and try / to steal the hogs and other stock or get it in any way that is dishonorable so they get it for less than its value about the colts see the article of agreement between me and Clouse and old Bates and if there is anything in that about the colts tell old Bates that I expect him to take care of them colts and if they die he shall pay for them As for things to eat here in the chicken and turkey line we have all we want our men has had only one turkey but chickens by the dozen You would ask how we get them we confiscate them of course I have never taken but one chicken that was Christmas eve at the hospital it was the fattest hen I ever saw. You ask how I am satisfied I will be honest and answer you truly I am not satisfied at all and would give anything that would be reasonable to get out I think and am in hopes that my kidneys being diseased will be the means of getting me an honorable discharge then I will come home and stay through good or evil fortune until I die with my family and never leave them again so help me God pray for me Miriam that things may so work to our advangage Vicksburg is taken            Nothing More I must quit as my fever is rising Write often I remain as ever your affectionate husband until death

                                                                        H. B. Drake

 

                                                            M. E. Drake

 

Our friend T. B. Savage was gloriously drunk last night and was put under arrest dont let anyone know this

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