Hospital No 4.

Louisville Ky

Nov 13^th /62,

 

Dear Parents and Brothers,

                        I received 2 letters from you day before yesterday, which were mailed Nov 7^th, but have not received them others containing the V and Capsicum yet they have went on to the Reg^t. I sent for them as soon as I heard where they were addressed to. tell Aitken that he dont know beans when the bag is open, if he were here I could make him turn a double somersault or two for that trick, as the money is just as apt to be lost as it is to reach me, by the rounds it has got to take. the last I heard of the Reg^t it was at Bowling Green. I expect they / are on the way to Nashville now. I am getting better, my chest is about as well as it was when I left home. the dysentery is about well too. I went at it a few days ago and took several good doses of extract Dandelion as an experiment. I found it worked first rate. it Physiced me some, and I got better right along. I hope this will find you all well, or better at least. I have found many in the army that I scarcely expected to see in the army or any where else. I found R Raymond, the man they tried to kill in Pettisville, the winter I was in Ohio, for lecturing on temperence, in this Hospital. Simon Krantz is here in Hos^p No 12. there are a good many of the Ohio boys in the war. I have found no permanent place yet, but I think I can as soon as I get right well again. / as soon as I am all right I will report myself to Dr Head, the head Surgeon in this place as a Penman, and unfit to stand Camp life, and as soon as there is a vacancy to fill, I will stand a chance. I would not like to be nurse very well. there is too much disease of all kinds, and some that is catching. there has been a few cases of the measles, one of our Reg^t, he died. I was exposed to them about 3 weeks ago, may be I will get them. I wish you would give me a few directions about how to keep myself if I should get them, and what diet and Medicine to use. there is one boy here that has lost his voice the same as Sam Butt. the boys here are about all expecting the war to close by the time Congress sets next. for my own self I would like to have the / war close, but I want to see the rebels whipped out first. as far as the land itself is concerned, I would say, let em rip, but that aint what we're arter. I want to say, if I ever come home, that I have helped to whip them, not only fight them. there is some difference between fighting and conquering. General Mclellen is about gone up, good. I hope Old Abe will soon see that he cant whip the South with rebel officers in his command. well I must close for the presant. give my respects to all my union friends. tell the rest I would like to meet them half way. write soon. I sent them stamps to the Reg^t to get them letters. I am forced to send a soldiers letter,

 

from your affectionate

Son

Wm. O Albright.

 

[drawing of bird with "Union" banner

and subscript: "I come, I come, to greet you,"]

SOURCES