Camp Near Belle Plain Dec 24 1862

 

Mrs Stafford My Dear Madam

                                                I write at your husband's request to inform you how he is and as near as possible where he is. He was wounded in the battle near Fredericksburg on Saturday morning Dec 13 I was in the field with the regiment when the shelling commenced, several men were slightly injured, when a shell burst over us and a peice struck your husband on the knee seriously shattering the bone. I assisted to carry him to the hospital in the rear, when it was found necessary to take his limb off which was done, between the knee and hip. I was with him during the operation, he bore the pain like a man and a soldier I afterward saw him several times in / the hospital and he was doing very well indeed with a fair prospect of recovery He is now at Trinity Church hospital Georgetown D.C. where you can see him if you wish to come to Washington

 

Yours Respectfully

C. Osborn

Chaplain 43^d N.Y.V.

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