Hoffman Hospita near Kettesville

Washington Co Md Sept 29^th 1862

 

Dear Sister Sarah

                                                                                                                        Last night I got your good letter written the 17^th inst & was verry glad to hear from home I assure u & that all is as well with u as it is & things are going on so well.

 

I am in pretty good health now but nearly worn out with care & fatigue. Frank Brundage got here the 25^th he relieved me verry much when he came. he left the 28^th with Monroe in an ambulance for Hagarstown he started off in pretty good spirits & I hope to hear of his safe arrival home soon.

 

            Sarah just the day u wrote your letter was the day we had the fight. it took place about 11 o'clock A.M. & when u was busy writing to me that night & when Pa was / imploreing Divine Grace at the family altar to rest upon us I was watching Lieut B & 4 others of our Co. they laid by the side of the fence on some straw in a barn-yard at this hospital. I was in as faithful attendance as I could be until Frank arrived. Uncle Grattan came here with 2 other men from Poultney came here yesterday after their friends H. C. Lyon & H. T. Hutton. Monroe & Frank left only a few hours before Uncle Grattan got here. they left with their charge to-day.—Oh! how glad I was to see Uncle Grattan & the rest come. I assure you I felt relieved of a great charge I tell u as soon as they came I sat right down & wrote a letter to Lois. my own wound is nothing now. I am detailed here now for Hospital service how long I shall be kept here I dont know. there has been nearly 1,000 men wounded in this hospital. a great many amputations among them & a great many have died. we had religeous services here yesterday for the first time in a long long while twas sweet to of Jesus again from a minister /

 

            you wrote me that Willard & Mary had not named their boy yet I have one for him if they are a mind to accept it. it is Nathaniel Emery the first in honor of Gen Banks & the last Hon Mr Aldrich of Mass both good & great men.

 

            Sep 30^th           well Sarah it was so late last night & I was quite tired. I did not finish my letter will try & finish now. u wrote about the meeting & conversation that took place under the crab apple tree in our yard the 11 ult & u wanted to know where & what I was doing that day. well I can just tell u. I was in camp near Rockville Md. all was quiet around the camp & we had nothing to do I washed & dried my shirt that afternoon I believe. the next day we started on the march towards this place. I am glad to hear that my friends have thot over plans for the soldiers to get home but I think they will scarsely succeed when the war is over if our Heavenly Father spares my life I trust I shall meet u one & all at home again. /

 

I have seen Cornelius McGregory once this side of Fredrick also David Ferrand & Abram Masten. they was all in good health. I have seen Uncle Jim but once yet, that was a happy meeting to me I assure u & I trust we may meet again if not until we get home again

 

            I want u all to give my love to Grand Pa & Grand Ma as often as u hear from me & tell them I ask an interest in their prayers. also uncle's Enos & Henry & their families. I would like first-rate to see u all & shall I trust—but I must wait till my time come

 

Sarah I think of a great many things I want speak about such as the church. the S.S. the minister & his family our neighbors, & some of my special young friend, also my dear old home & its assocates but I refrain almost to with tears in my eyes if ever I can see u all I will talk it out & if not I can say my secret thot's I have kept. we have not got our pay yet but think we will this week my being away from the Regt I dont know how I shall get mine but I think I will get it. I am going to send John Robby & Marcus each a $10 Secesh bill please deliver it to them. love to every one

 

                                                Your Affectionate Brother Jas B Wheeler Jr

Mrs S. A. Morton

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