General Hospital Rolla 19^th 1862

 

Dear Friends at Home

                        I received Fathers letter the night of the fifteenth it was written the 13^th it informed me a bout the box which arrived here by friday nights express all right except butter Bowl was broken but it did not hurt any thing evry thing else was all right. I think that there will be no trouble in sending any through with that mark. I want some paper and Envelopes and my Pocket flask that I spoke a bout in my other letter. You said that Father had been picking apples all last week. If he found any nice ones if he would send about a half a dozen / and I think that I relish a bowl of Jelley. I think that you put it in a tin cup and it come safer. I got a paper last week dated the 8 that is the 2^d paper I have got from you since I have been here. You say that Ferguson writes that he has written me twice and received but one letter from me. I received one letter from Ferguson it was a week a coming through from Springfield. I have wrote Arch a bout three answers to one letter. I dont know where they got to. I think that Rice is a playing smart. That is just the height of his education. I thought that Rice knew a little something I have found out he dont. Tell Mother not to worrey her self a bout any thing she hears a bout me /

 

I thought that Rice knew enough to be Orderley but he dont know that he knows hardly enough for a Corporal. I tell you when he was at madison he did n could not write a pass for the boys to go down town on But let him rip I will have revenge some way or another. I will tell you how it was when I was first taken sick. The regt moved seven miles on Springfield road where they could get good water. I rode there in the ambulance and got a little bite to eat. About then I was so sick that it was all I wanted to do to hold my head up. about dark there was an order came to start for springfield so all the men that was not able to march / had to be sent back to the general Spittle. and we left about a hundred there. I will tell you how homesick I was. When I left regimental Hospital I could not take care of anything so I left my Revolver and belt with Jo. And then I had to ride over those seven miles again that night and arrived at the hospital about nine oclock after carrying another man on my lap all the way when we got there I did not think of much of any thing. I got my cloths of and got into a pretty decent straw tick Bed with a good sheet and pillow plenty of blankets and I rested till morning. I tell you just what it is when I woke up in the morning my tongue was swelled so that it swell filled my mouth entirely full / the doctor said he never saw such a tongue on any body in all his life. I think that was what made me home sick. You can tell any body that says I am homesick they lie right to their face. after I got so I got could get around alittle and have some of an appetight. I felt my toes ake a little across the top of my them but I thought that by walking around a little it would all go away But it did not quite so qick They commenced swelling they swelled up round and they pained me considerable but I rubbed them with one thing or another till I have them a bout sound again. Father I got all the stamps you sent me. I like / a letter from you as often as you can afford time to write to me. Chas I got your letter stating speaking of W^m Maxfields revolver I think that was a smart trick, and Capt Clifford I think is getting above his business What do Uncle Mells folks think of Brother Clifford now. What will Mrs Clifford do now. Who told you that the regiment got their pay at Wainesville about Sept 18 I saw a man from the regiment that got here last thursday he said that the regt had not got money since they left madison he has been with them all the time. Tell Bert this answers his letter to. But he must write evry every chance he can get. Be sure and send my flask and something stout in it I will risk it with that mark. Give my love to all and tell that I am not so homesick as how Mr Rice thinks for I have not thought of it since I have been here. answer soon Yours Truley  S. Strong

 

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(PS) Hurry them thing along as quick as you can for I dont know when I shall leave here get them a quick as you can S. S.

 

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I wish that you would send me some U S Stamps of 25 and 50 cts for change we cant get any here

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