1863 June 19
Thunderbolt Hospital
June 19, 1863
Mrs. Nancy Jane Harden
My dear companion,
Again I seat myself to drop you a few lines which will inform you that I am not well yet, but I think I am better, though my bowels are running off and I am weaker.
I hope these lines may reach and find you all well.
I received your kind letter just now and was glad to hear from you, but sorry to hear that my baby was sick. I hope she will be well soon and flesh up again.
I am glad to hear that they are all busy in saving their wheat. I hope the weather will be good and that they will hold out to save it all. If I could not get there to help cut it, I hope I will be there before it is all eat up.
I am glad to hear that all the connection is well.
I am sorry Jim Harris has to go off now. I don’t think he ever will get back if he goes up the country, for that climate will not agree with a man in his condition. If he could come down the country now he could have some hope, for this country suits diseases like his. We had one man in our company just like him and he has got nearly well and he says he hant been as well in eight years, and one Mr. Askue says the same. Mr. Lynch’s folks knows him - Dave Askue.
We have a good deal of rain now. It is very warm also. The corn is growing finely. It is silking and tasseling, and some is in roasting ears. Corn is said to be very good here.
I am glad to get a pen from home. I think it is a good one. I will try it sometime. I am writing with the doctor’s pen now.
I got the provision you sent me but they won’t let me eat any of the ham now. Seven or eight of the biscuits spoiled before I could get them eaten. When I had to go to the hospital, I left them at camps and when I got them here they were spoiled. I can get the butter out of the bottle very well. I eat some of it for dinner today. I raise it out with my knife. It will make me several baits.
I think you had better not send any more letters by John Russell. If you send them to the mill or to Mrs. Benson’s, they will come straight.
Tell Aunt Mary Ann that I think that pen is a good one and I will think of her every time I write with it.
I want you to keep my gold pen and take good care of it and write with it. If I had it here, some good honest soldier would steal it the first time I left it exposed.
I have set up to write this letter. I am very tired. It is longer than I have sit up in three days before.
I think I will be able to start home soon. I am going to try for a furlough. If I can get one, I will be sure to come home.
So, I will close.
Yours, etc.
W. H. Harden