1865jan29

1865 Jan 29

 

January 29, 1865

Ophthalmic Hospital

Americus, Georgia

Mrs. N. J. Harden

Dear wife,

I once more seat myself to drop you a line to let you know that I am here and as well as common.  My ears are very bad yet. I don’t see that they are any better yet.  I hope these lines will reach and find you well, and doing well.

I spent two nights in Macon.

The post surgeon saw proper to send me here to a hospital where the ears and eyes are specially treated.  Behold!  When I got here, I found old Dr. Howard here in charge.  He used to be our old regimental surgeon.  He has gone faithfully to work on my ears.

I hear no war news.

I think I will like to stay in this hospital very well.  There are a great many men here nearly blind, but I think I am the only deaf man here.  I think I will get along very well with Dr. Howard.

I have not had my ears worked on until this morning.  The doctor put caustic in my ears to burn them out, and I tell you it liked to made me pee, it hurt so bad.

We have had some of the coldest weather I ever saw.

I will write more after dinner.

The old lady Reid is very sick with erysipelas.  The Police are charging around, but they say they can’t do much.

I think we get plenty to eat at this place.

I am going to let the doctor work on my ears awhile and then I am going to try to get away from here upon good terms.

I saw a man in Macon who was going to Johnny Smith’s company.  I sent him a note and told him to tell Brother Wash that we were all well, etc.  I also sent word to Will Harris that his folks were well.

I lost my oil cloth in Macon and I met a friend there who gave me $30.  He asked me where I was going to stay.  I told him I should have to lie out, as I had no money.  He told me I should have some and gave me $30 and I have got it yet.

I will close, promising to write in a few days.

Direct your Letters thus.

W. H. Harden

Ophthalmic Hospital

Americus, Georgia

Write soon and give me all the news.

I hope I’ll see you all again soon.

Farewell for this time.

Yours, etc.

W. H. Harden