CIVIL WAR LETTER - 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry - Writes of Hospital Rations Etc..

Description

Civil War Letter
Civil War Letter - Written by Soldier in Company "B" of the 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry.
This Civil War soldier letter was written by Joshua Baker Deems (1843-1910), the son of Mark Fleming Deems (1815-1880) and Margaret Baker (1817-1864) of West Pike Run, Washington county, Pennsylvania.
Joshua served in Co. B, 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry. Company B was originally called the “Washington Cavalry.” He mustered into regiment on 15 August 1862 and mustered out on 18 March 1865. While serving with the company, Joshua rose in rank to First Sergeant and eventually to First Lieutenant. Prior to the organization of the regiment, Joshua served in the Washington Cavalry Company that was organized on 29 June 1861.
For those interested in reading the complete history of this regiment, I recommend the book by Samuel Clarke Farrar entitled,
“The Twenty-Second Pennsylvania Cavalry and the Ringgold Battalion 1861-1865”
.
A post-war image of Joshua Baker Deems, Co. B, 22nd Pennsylvania Cavalry
TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Lizzie Deems, East Bethlehem, Washington Co., Penna.
September 30th 1863
Sister Lib,
I received a letter from you a few days since making some inquire and giving some very tempting invitations. As for providing for the sick, the Quarter Master Department does that as a sick man scarcely ever needs more than half rations. There is one half handed to the sergeant in charge of hospitals in cash which he, if honest, expends in getting a little delicacies for the sick. It is always sufficient to fill the demand.
I would like very much to come and dine with you as I have nothing to eat but flitch [bacon] and hard tack. since I left the hospital, save what I buy and that at a pretty dear rate. The five dollars that Pap sent me by Taylor Pile I am afraid is lost as I never received it and Taylor says he gave it to some member of our compay when he went away. He says he don’t know who he was and I know there are some men dishonest enough to keep it. He says he told the man that he gave it to that there was money in it. It may yet come to light but I fear not.
Write soon, — J. B. Deems
TERMS
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