University Hosp          Nov 20, 1863

New Orleans La

 

Dear Father

            I thought I would commence a letter to you as I know you always like to receive letters from me and myself from you. My health at at this time is very good with the exception of a slight cold but I hope soon to be well and I hope this will find you and all in good health and spirites. my leg is about the same no better or no worse. the other day the head Dr came round and inspected my ward. when he came to me he says to the head nurse, is Haworth eny good to nurse? he says, yes, says I Dr. it hurts me to lift enything or walk around much. then I showed him my leg the Dr. McClellan our ward Dr whispered something to him. then he marked down something in his book and then asked me what regement I belonged to I told him eighth N.H. I expect it was for invalid corps as he told me once before. A man in my ward had to have his leg taken off this afternoon. he was one of the men that came in wounded from the last fight, his leg run so bad that it rotted the arterry off and in order to save his life he had to lose his leg. We was paid off two mos. pay the other day. I don’t know whether I shall send eny more at present but I guess I will enclose a ten spot to defray expenses of BOX tell Mother that I cannot do enything with those cans as there is noone to but them I am going to use the small one to cook stuff in it is just the thing. We are having a nice shower just no we are in need of it. is so warm. there is no war news of importance our army is gone into Winter quarters at Vermillion Bayo. where they are throwing up intrenchments and there are a large body of rebels there somewhere I have been in here five months the 11^th of this month, and I am getting tired of being here and would like a change very well. I was out on pass night before last and for amusement went to the varieties theater where I saw Richard the third played it went off first rate. I do not know how you like it but I think it very nice. That portfolio that Mother sent out to me in my first box I left in my knapsack at Breashear City with the rest when we went on the to Port Hudson when the rebels took the city I suppose they took it as they did all the knapsacks and things of Gen Banks army. but that is no loss. I have got another one. I received a letter from Lizzie and cousin Fred and brother Fred which were very nice I love to see Fred doing so well tell Fred to spell night with a g in, and a capital I when he speakes about himself. Cousin Fred does very well. I suppose it will be about Thanksgiving when you get this but I hope you will have a good as I shall try to have. It is awful hard work to write a letter but I pick up something. I must close with my love to all

 

                                                            I remain

                                                                        your loving Son

                                                                                    Reuben

SOURCES