Gettysburg Wounded Soldier Nursing Another Soldier Wounded at Fredericksburg!

Description

One sheet, folded and written as four pages; when folded, measures approximately 5" X 8"; 1" fold split on bottom edge of center fold; 1/4" fold split at center fold and top horizontal fold; pin hole at center fold and bottom horizontal fold; large stain at bottom edge; light staining elsewhere; light ink.
Gettysburg Wounded Soldier Writes to Friend Of Nursing Another Soldier Wounded at Fredericksburg Along With Other Battle Content!
Transcription:
"USA General Hospital
Summit House Phila
August 3rd / 63
Friend Bill
How does the world wag with you today.  With me it goes badly only it is hot enough to just more than fry the order out of a man.  I am setting here by the window with the sweat just running off from my shirt.  I would attemt to tell you how long it has been since I wrote to you & as apologizing wont do the mater any.  You will have to call me a damed lazy pup & let it go at that.  You have heared as much about the
Battle of Gettysburg
probably as I can tell you.  The old 29th bore a conspicuous & active part in that as it has in a good many more the Army of the Potomac has been in.
When a ball from an old sharp shooters gun rubed the top of my hat thinks I luck out Old Ed as it will be good day.  But when the pice of shell came again hit my shoulder & my gun flew out of my hand.
I thought it was time to make tracks
.  I haven't heard from Tom yet but I am in hopes I shall before long.  I would like to have him here.  If he would not have our alex down to the city it would be a mystery.  My shoulder is doing bully ___?.  It is a little lame yet but what of that.  It is all for the men (?) you know.  I am nurseing here now.  I have got a little room all to my self & no body to nuisance(?) my arrangements at all.  I have only five men to take care of but they are as bad as any here in the hospital.  One of them was wounded at the
First Battle of Fredericksburg
.  They sent him to his regt before his wound was healed up & it broke out again.  It severs half of his cedmon now right on them ? inside the knee.  I am afraid hs leg will have to be amputated.  The other ones in his left arm.  It went in below his shoulder & came out below his elbow.  They had him under the influence of merbhem the other day & was going to take his arm off but they examined it & thought they would try it a few days longer.  I have just got every thing her that a man can ask for.  There is a community of ladies appointed here & they fetch every thing from the city that is available to eat & drink.  I will name you a few articles of drink I have got on my stand.  Lots of lemons oranges lemonade, blesed rasbery wine, port wine, sherry wine & any thing els I have a mind to call for.  Wont you come up & take a glass.  But I don't here you coming so I will close by requesting you to write soon & not be so negligent as I was.  Give my best wishes to all the boys.  No more at present.  From your ever true friend.  Direct to USA General Hospital Summit House Phila.
Ed Miller"
Authored by Private Edgar Miller, 29th Regiment, Ohio Infantry.  Recipient was William Root, who eventually enlisted in the 60th Ohio Infantry.  Root died in 1864 in the line of duty.  This letter is from a
200+ collection of letters
from the Root Family of Austinburg, Ohio.