University Hospt. July 24/63

New Orleans

 

Dear Mother

            Yesterday Lieut. Camp of our Co. who is sick at N.O. and Sergt. Stickney came to see me at the Hospt. and brought me a bundle of letters. four from you and one from Father, with which I was much pleased. Father’s was of May 23^rd and yours of the 26^th. and June 15^th, 19^th and the answer to the one I sent since I was in the Hospt. I sent one to Father a few days ago so I will not write to him but you can let him see this. you speak principaly in your letter about my sufferings you don’t suppose that I am going to tell you every little thing that to my discomfort. I started with the idea that I should have to endure fatigues and hardships and so I am prepared to meet them. about getting into the Engeneering Dept. that is all up with me. I do not care enything about such business although it would please you to have me in it, at least for a while. I suppose ere this time the news has been received that Vicksburg and Port Hudson has been taken and the Father of waters once more opened to the commerce of the world. now this is done the back-bone of the rebellion is broken, and the recent victories at the North makes old Jeffs countenance as long as a fiddle string I guess he sees that the Confederacy is about drawing its last breath. I hope so. I do not believe it can hold out a year longer. I hope not (don’t you never think of putting eny of my letters in the Ballott because if you should I might not write eny more.)

 

That is big about A. Rand and F. Jones and all around the lot. it is truly laughable that is the way things work. by change You do not say enything about Mrs Trefethen and family I hope they are well, give my respects to them, and tell her I would write but I am out of paper and other materials. I spoke in the letters I sent to Father about sending me a small box of luxeries they can be jellies and eny articles of clothing but nothing such as cake, or pie something to eat or bread some writing paper and envelopes (and money) as I don’t see as though we were ever going to get paid (9 months) nine months and not a bit of pay now we want some in the hospital. it speaks in the papers about pay masters comming to pay of the troops but don’t see enything of the greenbacks. but they say that the surgeon have not made out the pay rolls. when I get eny at all I shall get a handful. but just look at it Father gets in one month as much as I get in six months! Oh, I had almost forgotten that I had a wounded leg and you want to know about it. the ball glanced over my left shin bone and hit my right bone knocking off one small piece and some splinters which the Dr took out there is no pain in my and it healing up fast. my brother Good Courage is with me and I don’t take eny notice of my wound only to keep it clean and wet. we are in a fine large room and have a good nurse named Watson of the 91^st N.Y. give my best respect to all and don’t worry.

 

                                                            from your affect Son

                                                                        Reuben Haworth

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