US Hospital

Davids Island

Feb 29^th/64

 

Dear Sister Julia

                                                                                                                        I rec^d your letter of the 12^th ins't two weeks ago to day, but the other one hasnt arrived yet, that is the one you directed to Fort Schuyler. excuse me for not answering sooner, I should of done so but time flies fast, it dosn't seem as if it was half so long. I hope you have recoverd from your sore throat so you are able to attend to your / duties again. it must be rather a tiresome job to travel up and down three pair of stairs, perhaps a dozen times a day. you speak of being in a prison, I think I know how to pitty you for I have been a prisoner all almost long enough to know how to sympathize with you. and I expect to be a prisoner for nearly eighteen months longer, then if nothing happens, I expect to be a civilian once more, "never, "never, to be Uncle Sam's slave any more.

 

I didn't get my pictures taken while in the city because I didn't have a very good opportunity. I am going to get a pass to go to the city in a few weeks. it is more difficult to get a pass here than it was at Fort Schuyler. It was to bad that only the small sum of $10.00 could be realized at the donation for Mr. Douglass, for I think / that all that is given to him is given in a good cause, for he deserves the sympathy of all.

 

I have practiced some in short hand since I have returned although to no great extent. I can write pretty good now. I have rather more time to for practice than you do I suppose. Tell Miss Maggie I still look but look in vain. how does Maggie flourish in signature hand writing. Lottie says that Mr. Douglass is going to teach her the signature hand. I wish I could take a few lessons in it also. I wouldn't take $500.00 dollars for my short hand now, for what little I have already learned

 

I have recently heard that the remains of T. J. Snyder have been found, or that his folks have rec^d a letter to that effect. I hope it is so, for it will be a great consolation to them if his remains can be / brought home. O say Jul have you heard wether Mrs. Snyder has given Con back that $5.00 or not. I would give most any thing to know, and if she has, what she said to him. have you told G— any thing about the affair or not.

 

How would you like to go to an oyster supper to night, yes, and with Uncle Dav…, eh, dont you know you said when you came home from Waterloo that afternoon that you wasn't a going to the Oyster supper. it wouldn't of done to of staid at home that night, not at tal, tal.

 

There is a report afloat here that the patients here are to be sent away, and reble prisoners brought here. that is the way they done here last spring, they sent our men away then brought rebs here. there is about twenty rebs here now they look natural with their butternut uniforms on. the I must close hoping to hear from you soon.

 

                                                            From Your Affectionate

                                                                        Brother Albert

 

would you like to see Edd home on a furlough. I hope he will get one soon. I rec^d a letter from him yesterday he was about the same as usual not exactly recovered from the ague yet. Albert.

SOURCES