1865 Civil War Soldier Letter – Marine Hospital, New Orlean 2nd New York
1865 Civil War Soldier Letter – Marine Hospital, New Orleans
Company L, 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry – March 7, 1865
Exceptional handwritten letter from Charles Reynolds (farmer from Chestertown, Warren County, New York) to his wife Sarah J. Reynolds while recovering in the Marine Hospital, New Orleans.
Dated March 7, 1865 — just one month before Lee’s surrender at Appomattox — Reynolds writes about his improving health (“getting better quite fast… feel first rate… good appetite”), helping the nurses in the ward, spring weather in Louisiana (“trees all in bloom looked like cherry blows”), rumors of the regiment heading to Mobile, fellow soldiers like Frank Dewell, settling accounts back home, and his hopes of transfer to a New York hospital as his service nears its end.
"Marine Hospital New Orleans March 7th 1865
Dear wife
I have got four letters this month from you & one from Marcus I have written several lately but as I am about to leave for New York day after tomorrow I thought I might write again as well as not the last was dated 17th of last month containing your likeness I am glad you sent it I am sorry you are sick I hope you will get well soon be careful of your health and the children
I am getting better quite fast now feel first rate got over my lameness got good apetite get enough to eat the Dr said I may help the nurses some in the ward I commenced today Frank Dewell is here in this hospital now came in yesterday he is in ward B in third story the Regt left yesterday morning gone to Mobile they are expecting a fight there soon they say they are going to pay the soldiers here this week and send them off all that are able so as to have room for wounded men from mobile way
I hope if I am sent off it will be to New york I dont think they will send me to the regt I rather go to New york and serve my time than serve it here
I will know now in few days I suppose I hope they will pay as I shall want a little money soon I guess you need not send me any just yet wait untill you hear from me again
It is spring here folks are plowing trees are leaving out I was out in the city yesterday I saw trees all in bloom looked like cherry blows folks making garden dont look much like old chest this time of year snow three feet deep or more & cold enough to freeze good feed for cows & c here Elias is here yet to work in the mess room yet & he say he can get a chance there for me he thinks The chaplain just came in to hold preaching has preachin in our ward every tuesday afternoon I had to stop writing while he preach he wants us soldiers to do a bout half of it he is episcopal rather soft sort of preacher it is now ½ past five just been to supper I eat in the ward tonight it is raining now just commenced rains here about half the time warm rain. I think I get all of your letters lately you have asked some questions I have not answered you wanted me to write how mutch hay we let Dr Mallery have that I cant tell as I never kept any acct of if you settle with him you will have to jump at it if you dont owe him to mutch tell him you guess he has had about enough to make it square
I was sorry to hear Joseph Smith had Nelly as I think he would misyousher I will try and have them transfer me to some New York hospital when I am sent off if we are sent I have only a few days over six months to serve now if they keep me my time out my health is about as good as it commonly has been
Try and get along as well as you can not worry about me as I think I will get along now without any trouble
so good by for the present
from your husband
Charles Reynolds
To
S. J. Reynolds"