General Hospital No. 1

            Lexington Ky Feb. 25. 63

 

            Dear Laura & babies:—

                        I am waiting for a letter yet but it don't come. I am a little better this afternoon than for some time The Surgeon in the Hospital at Danville literally forced me to start to the Regt when I had not walked 40 rods at any one time in nearly six week. So of course I had to pack & be off. we had had to walk ¾ of a mile to the wagons part of the way through tough mud and when we got to them we loaded like so many hogs nothing to sit on but wet straw well after we got started we had to stop and get out of the wagons to get our passes. there we stood another hour until I was so cold that shook like I had the ague. we were then ordered back into the wagons and were again enroute we travelled the rest of the day on a stone / road joggled almost to death. at night we were stowed in an old hell pot without any fire I just natural told the Officer in charge that should look more comfortable quarters for I could never stand it until morning without fire well there was an old surgeon came along and looked at me me a moment and turning to the Officer he said this man must have help and immediately well said the Officer can you do any thing yes said he come right along with me we walked around the corner of the square and turned into his office which warm well I was so cold that I just wilted and never found a chair as he told me to do when I found myself I was nicely in bed with the Officer sitting by bathing my temples with camphor ("Why Burgess said he you never should have left the Hospital at Danville. do you think of going on to Lexington.") I told him if I was able so the next morning I came along and here / I am sicker or weaker than I have been any time since I was taken sick

 

            I have been at a loss lately to know the reason of my getting no letters I have thought and been a good deal afraid that you were all sick and coud get no one to write for you and then I knew in reason Asa would write to me I have conjured up all kinds of bug bears all foolish I suppose but nevertheless they were all so. Laura I have 20 dollars I want to send to you as soon I know what to do but I would not send without I knew you was at home to receive it yourself personally. I don't want any body else fingering my envelopes be before you if you don't tell what is to be done about the money I'll keep it but I'd much rather you would have the use of it if you have any use for it. Laura if I have any friends in that country give them my respects for goodness sake write soon yours

as ever in love                                                                                     David R. Burgess

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