Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., August 7, 1864

Title

Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., August 7, 1864

Subject

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Health aspects
Soldiers -- Diseases -- United States -- History -- 19th century

Description

Homer Curtiss writes to his family about his continued stay in hospital in Washington, D.C. and the financial troubles that that is presenting.

Date

1864-08-07

Text

Ward 10, Stanton Hospl., Wash'n, D.C.
Sunday August 7h AD. 1864
Dear Friends at Home,
I am still confined to
my bed, having to lie on my left side, with my
head in my left hand, "raised to the height of
of my left fore arm", as Casey would have it.
A dull place rather is a hospital and all
the kindnesses and attention shown one, makes it all
the more so. For there is no chance to rouse a little
anger to find fault or scold one. 12 days here
and all I have heard from my world was contained
in Lucies letter of the 2d inst. I hope Fannie has
not directed to the Corps for I doubt it would
get there in month if ever. I wrote to Capt.
Hosford the day before I wrote you per Atlantic
but have no word from him on his Corps.
We are not very full here now, though
fuller than when I came. There are 35 beds in the Ward
13 of which are empty. Only one has died
in it since I came, he was badly wound in the leg

[page 2]
Aug 15th Monday morn
I am not gaining very
fast, am quite confined to my bed, but hope
to be out of it in a week. Since I wrote the 1st
page I have received a letter from Frank and 1 
from you at home both enclosing $20.00. Have
heard from no one else. I would like
F. to send me $20.00 more before the end of the month
I dont believe he can hate so bad as
I hate to send for it. But there seems to be no
other way. O if I could get paid, even in part
it would relieve both him and me, but there will
not be any chance until our rolls are made out
and that may not be this 2 months yet.
Lucy will you get a large envelope very large]
if possible and if not do up strongly in a bundle
my Commission, Muster in Roll, Discriptive List
and Order of Discharge and send to me
I have not anything in my possession now to
show that I am anything more than a private
as Capt took my sabre + belt. If there are any
blank "Final Statements" in that box send them
in the package. This time I write lying flat on my
back

[page 3]
Another thing Lucy - you are prone to be
flowery in your directions. Of course
you directed Frank's letter. It seems
to me that that last line besides being quite
superfluous is really dangerous as it might
have sent the letter a wild goose chase after
the Regt. I have seen just such instances.
I would prefer that you always direct
"Lieut. H. S. Curtiss" the rest as circumstances
require. "A word to the wise +c."
As soon as I get able I intend to inundate
you with letters, besides writing to Frank, Alice +
Theo, but I guess you have got enough of this
and I shall return on none of those in the style.
Write Fannie my address please. I cannot well
My best love to you at home and my hearty
respects to Mr Bassett who I like better every time
you write of him -- I have had almost nothing
but milk pass into my stomach in a week seems
some like the time I had when Pa died, only I have
very little pains now. I dont suppose I have slept 12
hours since I came here, but I guess that is
no matter, for when sleep is necessary, it will come
Homer

Original Format

ALS

Files

curtis18640807.pdf

Citation

“Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., August 7, 1864,” Linda Lear Center Digital Collections and Exhibitions, accessed March 29, 2024, https://lc-digital.conncoll.edu/items/show/1445.