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Regiment: 7th Wisconsin Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant
HOPE
Douglas Hospital Nov 5th/65
Dear Sister
This is a cold blustering day.
A day in which true comfort can be
easier found inside the wall of a close
room than out of doors within the blast
of the kene
[ ? ] wind.
Notwithstanding the rough state of the
weather have attended church this morning
situated on New York Avenue & presided over
by Dr Gurley of the Presbt Church
It is at this church that Pres Lincoln
was to be found in attendance each Sabath
while living. His pew is still preserved
unoccupied where he was to be found
so often giving strict attention to the
remarks of the speaking as he dealt out
spiritual comforts to his congreation
The pastor was often to be found
as a visiter at the White House while
Mr Lincoln was living & at the
particular request of Mrs Lincoln
he was selected to preach the funeral
sermon of her lamented husband.
I find that it add not a little
to the interest of the day to be able
to attend church each Sunday & listen
to the word of God as expounded by
some of the learned
[ ? ] of the city
Last week had the pleasure of
listning to the elequent & learned
preacher Henry Ward Beacher who delivered
an excelent sermon at the Rev Dr Sutherlands
church on the occasion of the funeral
service of the brave Col Dahlgrene who
lost his life while attempting to rescue
the starving prisoners on Belle Island in
the spring of /64. No doubt you
will remember the incidents of his
death for his bravery & courage has become
a household word throughout the intire
north. Mr Breacher is a strongly built
man of about 35 years of age with a
strongly marked features of an interlectual
mold. His style of speaking is a good
dear like Summers of Mass. vehement without
undue excitement & an ernestness which is
better apreciated by his hearers than that
other style of speaking pitched on a much
higher key & with such rapidity spoken
that one half of the wright of the words
are lost. As to the sermon I sent the
paper containing the same to Father
the day after delivered & most likely
has been perused by you ere this
Among those present were Pres Lincoln
Sect’s Stanton Wells & Harlen, Mayor
Wallack of the City & numerous other men
of rank & influence. I think that
the chances of getting out of service within
the next two months are very favorable
Although the “shoulder straps” of the
Veteran Reserve are doing their utmost
to keep themselves in their cosy job at
the expense of the comon soldier believe
notwithstanding that the outward preasure
of petition will have beneficial effect
in time & that Gen Grant will not be deaf
to the voice of the private soldier but will
use his influence toward giving us an
unlimitable furlough Which will not have
to be sent to a quack of a Doctor at Madison
for the purpose of being extended.
Rumors are in circulation to the
effect that we are about to be transferred to
Harewood Hospital about two miles toward
the country. I had hoped that it would
not become necessary for us to make annother
move until we were ordered on the long march
toward home but perhaps there is no truth
in the report
Have charge of the Guard House still
notwithstanding annother 1” Sergt is here with
the 14” Co shall endeavor however to have
[ ? ] shifted off on him & thus have a little
respit from the laboreous duties of the past
three months. Company affairs are prospering
very favorable. Have thus far got along without
any difficulty in administring company affairs
Lieut Rand has been promoted having
received the Commishion of Capt in V. R. Corps
but a few days ago. He stays but a little
of his time in the Hospt being most of the time
at his “boarding house” only being here a little time
in the morning
In refferece to the direction writing on my
letter to G L Brown I directed to Regon
Goodhue County Minn. thus far have received
no answer although I answered over one
month ago. Have though perhap, that
he did not receive it for had the
letter gone though should have received
an answer at once
Was pleased to hear though a good
deal surprised to learn that my name
had been spoken of in connection with
the PO. In fact could not believe
but what I had made some mistake
in reading until I had read it over
the 2” time. Should this prove true it
will prove a great help to me after
I get home. I am greatly indebted
to Edward for the interest that he has
& is daily taken in my welfare. Believe
from what I hear that he has managed
my affairs as well as I could do it myself
were I at home Was sorry to hear
of the axident that had befalling
Betsey Russells husband. Certainly ill luck
has followed the fortunes of that family
for the past three years
Thus much of this letter had been
written when orders came from the war Dept
for the transfer of the 2 & 22 Co to some
point not yet found out by me
So it seems that we are obliged to
make one more move befor the list
is closed & we are ordered home.
Think if we had remained our discharge
would have been given us by the middle of
Dec or the first of January at least
It may be so as affairs now stand but
am strongly of the opinion that our chances
for being discharged were much more favorable
two hours ago than they now are since the
marching orders were received. But shall
still work & hope for the best.
But I must close this for I have
a good deal of furniture & house hold good to
pack up ready for the dragman’s cart
Will endeavor to finnish this whenever & wherever
it may be
S. A. B.
suply of stoves fuel &c. We are pressing
the matter of discharges as fast as
possible & will still keep sending in
our petitions
unll until the desired result
is secured. Tell Edwar to excuse my not
writing before this for have been unable
to find time hardly to write this also
tell him that I am well satisfied
with the exchange of property
My health for the past week has
been much the same as the week before
The evening papers inform us that
Capt Wirtes is to be hung on Friday next
so it seems that justce has prevailed
It also containes the news of the success
of the
[ ? ] in Wis. NY Mass &
containes the good news of the return
of Jearsy back into the union
My respect to all
You Brother
Ps
Spencer
Excuse mistakes for have no time to rectify them
SAB
[On Envelope]
Nov 5 65
Miss Amanda Bronson
Fall River
Columbia Co
Wisconsin
