Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/bronson-spencer/
Regiment: 7th Wisconsin Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Douglass Hospital Washington DC
May 19
th 1864
Dear Sister
I am still in this Hospt’ having been here one week My wound is doing as well as
can be expected. It has not been so painful the past week as it was the previous week
before. I am obliged to keep my bed all the while which rather “grinds me”. But
knowing that it is best for me I just put up with it without grumbling
Last Saturday I was obliged to undergo a painful Surgical operation.
It was rough but I believe I bore it without an “Oh”! The operation was
probing my wound to see whether the ball had hit any vital part, The
result was satisfactory to the Dr. He saying that it was all right but that
I must keep my bed so as not to irritate the wound. Our Doctor is I think a
good one He take pains to render our condition as comfortable as possible.
The Surgeon in charg of Douglass Hospt is Dr Thompson a young man but said to
be well versed in everything pertaining to medical affairs. Our food is of a better
quality then at first I am living on what is termed “milk diet” IE Bread & milk as
long as this diet is continued I have no fears but what I will get along all right in the
“commasary line” for you know that when I was at home this kind of provender
suited me best Monday the patients not wounded badly was sent to Phildelphia to
give room for worst cases I was in hopes that the Doctor would pronounce me abel
to travil but he decidied otherwise Philadephia is where every wounded soldier
would like to be sent for the best Hospt in the US are located at that place. I have
heard mothering from the Co since I last wrote send all news that you know about the
Co for I have no other way of learning at present. I am waiting patiently for an
answer to my first letter that I wrote a week ago. We have for attendants in this
Hospt several “Nuns” or Sisters of charity as they are otherwise call
They are members of the Roman Catholic church who have retired
from the vanities of the world & vowed to live a life of seclusion & peity
lending a helping hand wherever suffering humanity may be found
They infuse life into the sick room & scatter comfort with a generous
hand in many a lowly cottage However much I differ with them in there
religious belief I cannot but think them honest in there crede. But I must
close Excuse short letters for I write them bousted up in bed excuse these pencil
marks for I can not use ink without making sad blots among the bed clothes In good
spirits & subscribe myself your Brother Spencer
