Civil War Letter – Charles Reynolds, 2nd New York Cavalry, Marine Hospital
Civil War Letter – Charles Reynolds, 2nd New York Cavalry, Marine Hospital, New Orleans, March 1865
This three-page autograph letter was written by Charles Reynolds of the 2nd New York Cavalry while recovering in the Marine Hospital in New Orleans. Dated around mid-March 1865 (the letter mentions “after the middle of March” and references the thawing season up North), it offers a personal and intimate look at a cavalryman’s experience with illness, hospitalization, and separation from family during the war.
In the letter, Reynolds reassures his wife that his condition is improving — he still has some back pain, especially when lying down, but notes he has gained weight and feels much better than before. He mentions the hospital filling rapidly with about 60 new patients daily, the long wait for pay and examination, and the possibility of being returned to his regiment soon. He expresses hope that he will be kept in the hospital until his one-year enlistment term ends.
Reynolds also comments on fellow soldier J. Deuel, who is in the same hospital, and acknowledges receiving stamps, paper, and precious photographs of his wife and daughter “little Elly.” He admits feeling lonesome but finds comfort in looking at their pictures. The letter closes with news of an upcoming payday, comments on the cooler, rainy weather in New Orleans, and a mention of maple sugaring season back home.
Written in a clear, conversational hand across three pages, this letter provides a touching soldier’s-eye view of life in a wartime hospital in occupied New Orleans. It highlights the physical hardships, homesickness, and quiet endurance of Union cavalrymen serving far from home in the Gulf Department.
A heartfelt and well-preserved personal letter from a member of the 2nd New York Cavalry (Harris Light Cavalry), one of New York’s most active and well-known cavalry regiments.
This would make a wonderful addition to any collection of Civil War cavalry correspondence, New York soldier letters, or medical/hospital-related manuscripts.
Page 1:
Marine Hospital New Orleans
Dear wife it is now
half past five I thought I would
write you a few lines as the boat
leaves saturday morning it will
have to be mailed in the morning
wry thing remains the same here
no examination nor pay yet the hospital
is getting pretty well filed coming in
about 60 a day we expect to get paid
before long now cant tell when
I expect they will send me off
now soon cant tell where maybe
to the regiment I feel middling
well have some pain in my back
yet not very bad the worst when
I lie down I am good deal better
than I was gained in flesh and
have got straitened up feel limbs
I think they will keep me untill
my year is up that will soon pass
Page 2:
I have got onto the last half
of the year three days gone over
half I think I will get along now
if I have good health I will
try and get along as well as I can
I will write after I get orders
to leave and let you know
where I go I may stay here a
week or two yet J Deuel is
here he keeps a round clout
feel verry well has pain in
his side and breast you wrote
to know if I got the stamps you
sent and paper yes they came
all safe I wrote letters on the
paper and sent them back
I wrote a letter to you two or three
day ago in answer to one you sent
Elly’s Picture Friday morning
six o clock I herd last nite
we were going to be paid tomorrow
Page 3:
It has been some colder here
lattely considerable rain
I haint been out side of the
yard in two weeks I can get a
pass any day when it is clear I
got one one day and did not you
it you must try and feel as
easy as you can about me now
I am well I can take care of myself
I was glad you sent your picture
and little Elly’s it is some
comfort to look at them
I feel some lonesome here
I think it must begin to thaw
some up home by this time after
the middle of march about time
to make sugar is our folks going
to make or is the snow to deep for
their new stove write often and
direct the same good by for the present
Charles Reynolds