1863 Civil War Letter by 24th New York Soldier Columbian Hospital, Washington

  
In this April 1863 letter to his wife, Private Francis W. Baker of the 24th New York describes conditions at the military hospital at Columbian College in Washington, DC, where Baker found himself after an undetermined ailment. Having come from the field, Baker seemed pleased that his new quarters, though a tent, had a floor and a stove and was quite comfortable. " "They have good beds in them, he added.

He reports that he had left camp two days earlier, but that the boat got stuck in the mud and we had to stay there all night until tide came in. " The 24th New York's two-year enlistment was nearly out, causing Baker to close that "like everything, our time will soon be out and then we shall see each other if the Lord is willing and I hope and pray he is. Baker mustered out with the regiment at Elmira the following month. The letter was written in pencil on two pages of a 5" x 8" stationery sheet that features a patriotic decoration of a Union soldier next to the New York State seal, camp scene, etc. Excellent condition with light foxing and toning.

I came here yesterday about three o'clock. We are in tents but they have floors in them and stoves and are quite comfortable. They have good beds in them.

My side is quite lame yet and my hips and back too, but I think I shall get over it after a while. All but the rupture and that I never expect to get over. I started from camp day before yesterday. The boat got stuck in the mud and we had to stay there all night until the tide came in.

I have no news to write or much time to write if I had. The next time I shall have more time and more news too, so you must excuse this short letter. Like everything, our time will soon be out and then we shall see each other if the Lord is willing and I hope and pray he is. I hope this will find you and the children well.

Give my love to all. I shall not got your last letter until the boys send it to me. This from your true and faithful husband Francis W. May God Bless and protect you all good bye. Please see my other items for more original Civil War items. The item "1863 Civil War Letter by 24th New York Soldier Columbian Hospital, Washington" is in sale since Tuesday, August 11, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Correspondence, Mail".

The seller is "iron-horse-sales" and is located in Champaign, Illinois. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Dominican republic, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, El salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay, Russian federation.

• Conflict: Civil War (1861-65)
• Original/Reproduction: Original