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Regiment: 17th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Antietam, Maryland; South Mountain, Maryland
Historical Figures:
U. S. Army General Hospital.
Ward 2. Camden St.
Baltimore December 26th 1862.
Dear Sister.
I received yours & Ellas letter to day. I was
very much gratified by receiving the locks of hair. I enclose one of
mine in return as a holy day gift. I am still slowly gaining in strength
& can eat a little better than I could. I am not so nervous as I was as
you will judge by these last letter. Why dont you write longer ones. Now the last
was very short. & I must say that Ellas had more news than
yours. I am sorry to hear Willie is sick but you dont say what ails
him nor how sick he is. I hope it is nothing serious. Ella speaks
about the front bedroom. Perhaps it will do as well to put a bed
into the parlor this winter as it wont be used much. Be very
careful in moving the desk. Keep it
right side up as some acid
might get broke & spill & spoil some thing. Though you can take
out all the books & papers & leave the rest as it is & if you are care
-ful it will be all right. I have had the Rheumatism in my back
&
[ ? ] pretty bad for several days but am better other ways
though I had a pretty severe headache last evening. Dont be
alarmed as I hope I shall get along. I eat in the Ward again
& have milk & toast. They found that such hearty food did not
agree with me & let me come back. I dont know as I had better
say what I think of Carries writing to clark etc. You can write
to me any thing about it or any thing else as no one but me sees
my letters. then the case is different. I have found out the reason
why Julia C-s dont writeshe hasent time. But I cant imagine
who can be her being I did not suppose there was young men
enough left then to go to see the girls. I guess you are a little
jealous. I suppose Clark. B. is one Wally D. & maybe Geo
Hunt another & as for the clupper boys why to be sure there is
more of them than I thought. How is it about that man at
Mrs H farm is there any more there? I should think there would
be a great blow up in the neighbor hood as seymours girls
must be neglected & in my opinion there soon will be one & when
it comes “
Stand from in under”.
Why dont you tell me some
thing about Aunt Hannah & Grandmother. Seems to me
you can find enough to write about. Tell me all the particulars
little ones at that of everything. What the neighbors & acquain-
tances are doing. Where is John Harris now. Tell me what
[ ? ] says what
you said you would when I got home. I want to know it now.
If you cant find everything else to write tell me what you have to eat
at Breakfast Dinner & Supper. & when the baby cries what F. is
doing. Whether old Pouch has bit anyone yet. Write about the weather
music. The school & what happens there who goes & what they
study. What kind of a young lady is
[ ? ] cousin that you mention.
Dec 27” 1862 Sat. Evening
You seem to think that I can write every other day. Well perhaps I
might but for a day or two I have been making out Rolls in the place
of Edwin Bronson who has sore eyes. May be it will prove a good
opening while I stay here. If I can stand it to write I had rather do it
than not as It will improve my writing & familiarize me more with
business. Then evry chap in the ward
that cant write comes & some
that is not
in the ward comes to me to write letters for them & of course I cant very well
refuse if I feel able to do it but I shant do it long you may depend at least
I shall not neglect my
other correspondent for other folks. I havent write
out two letters to another person since I have been here so you see my
correspondence in not very extensive elswhere, I wrote to Johnny agood
while ago but dont yet any answer. You must scold him a little. I wonder
what papers you are goint to take this next year. I should like the Phre-
nological Journal Published by Fowler & Wells if possible if
I could spare the money I should certainly have it. Keep the Tribune any
way. Keep all the
[ ? ] dont let one get destroyed as I shall want to see
them when I get home. Yesterday Dr Neffs brother who is studying medicine
came into the ward with an Electric machine & gave the pa-
tients shocks for the Rheumatism I took several shocks & it made
me so nervous & my back ached so for a long time so that I could
hardly stand it. I dont know but what It would do good if contin
ned long enough but I did not try it today as I had so much writing
to do & I wanted to do it well. The machine is an electro magnet & the
shocks are given by causing a piece of soft Iron bent in the form of
the letter U & wound with insulated wire to revolve rapidly very close
to the poles of a powerful horseshoe magnet. You will find a full discrip
tion in my philosophy under the hea dof Magneto Electricity or
Electricity induced by magnetism. Do you keep up the Journal yet. (I hope you
do) & how do you make it work. What kind of a time did you have Chris
-mass & Thankgiving write & tell me all about it you have never said a
word about Thanksgiving yet. O I promised to continue the description of
my Christmass. The next piece was Star Spangled Banner & was loud
-ly cheered. Then Gen Hayward sang a piece composed by himself call
ed the Hurrah song or the Rebellion in Maryland. It was rather a vulgar
song just the type of the composer. He (Heyward) lookes like Ma
-jor Lyon of the 17” Mich. & wears his moustachios in the same man
-ner; though he is
not near a much smarter man. The piece was
lonelly cheered. Then a soldier sang a comic piece Happy land of
[ ? ] which
hall better have been left off. Finally the whole affair wound up by an
impromptu speech of Hayward which created some fun but
had no
[ ? ] & thus ended my Christmass. But I am tired & must
close this for tonight, good night.
Dec 28 1862 Sunday Morning. Again another long night
has passed & how many more must pass before I can have the pleas
-ure of again beholding the loved ones at home. Aman was brought
in to the Ward day before yesterday. A discharged soldier on his way
home he is very weak with the Chronic Diarrhea, This still keeps
troubling me long little while. I rather suspect it is that instead of Dys
pepsia. All that have died in the Ward have been with that disease.
It is awful when it gets hold of a man But I think I shall get over it
after a while if I am careful. The weather for several days back has
been warm & damp which makes me feel the Rheumatism more than
usual. This morning the sun shines out & I am in hopes that it will
clear up even if it colder. This is strange kind of weather to me for
this time of the year. I am afraid things are neglected some
at home for last winter it took father all the time to do chores &
Then he had to get John to cut wood & I was there to to help do the chores
& I know that there is just as much if not more to do. The wood must be
about out if it is not all ready & who is going to cut more who
does Grandmothers chores. O There is one thing I have forgotten. Has the
ago. Has F. sold any oats yet. I see by the paper that you sent me that
they bring a pretty good price, but I should not wonder it they brought
a better in the spring when navigation opens. You do not say a word
about Granfather Castles folks or Uncle Norman Uncle Allen or
Uncle Hannibal. How are they getting along do you see them often. Neither
do you say a word about affairs in the town what is going on at
the village of Royal Oak. Any singing schools, socials, Bulls, Fights,
[ ? ]
I expect it is as dull as a door nail then, Heard anything from
Charley Hunt yet? Than Aildis who enlisted the same time as Charley
is in the Union Dock Hospital in this city but I havent seen him
yet. He is a nurse. Where is J. B. Johnson. I see his Brother Jerome
every day in town. He is a nurse on the other side of the street. Do you
hear anything from Bill Benjamin or Cord Fay. You might by acking
Asenath. Their Reg 17
th U.S.A. has been pretty well cut up & is now re-
cruiting in Portland Me. There was a nurse in this ward by the name of
May that belonged to that Reg. He had been in the hospital ever since
last July. I suppose my pistol that I left traded in the
[ ? ] wont be
or hasent been discharged since I left home & wont be until I get
back. It ought to have been at it is rusting all the time on account of the
chemical & electrical action of the different mettals brought in
contact. I have got my Revolver in my pocket how I would not take
harding any thing for it as although I never wanted to tell of it & never
have before it saved my life at South Mountain. I have got a curiosity
from that Battle Field in the shape of a Big Bowie in my knap-
sack. While I was in the Division Hospital the cooks had it to use &
[ ? ] about used it up by opening boxes etc. nicked it up & broke the
point off. But when I got hold of it again it went into my knapsack
& has staid ever since & will until I go home. These two articles I
would not take $100.00 for. The Revolver is a splendid weapon. I
knew what I was about when I got it if it did cost so high.
But enough of that. I suppose that by the time you get this is will
be 1863. One year more has passed little did I think when I went
to Pontiac & got my books The sat, after New Years that in
one year I would be in Baltimore City sick in the Hospital
when I look back through the various changes & events which I
have passed through I cannot but feel thankful that
I have
had my my life & has been shared & my health is as good as it is.
It might have been worse. I might have been Killed at either South
Mountain or Antietam & now when I review the horrible scenes of those
Battle fields & the danger attendant it seems almost a
[ ? ]
I was not either killed or wounded. And now how much
it is that I have a prspect of returning health & strength
than to be crippled for life a burden on my relatives. instead of
a support. Only think how much more sorrow & anxiety other families
& relatives of those already slain in this Fratricidal War. There is Uncle
Erastus family. One son already ded whom they sorrow for & another
far away perhaps on the field of strife. Do you hear any thing from them
since Dans Funeral. I have not heard from George since I saw him
though he promised to write to me. I do not know whether he has gone to
the Reg. or is at Frederick City yet. Of the four who started for the
south in such high spirits 5 short months ago one is dead one wounded
& are disabled by injuries & disease thus leaving but one fit for duty. Then
it is in time of war. If each could have known what was in store for us.
When we enlisted How many of the 4 would have gone. I am happy to say
that I have been able to render the country some service. I would not
[ ? ]
the experience that I have had for thousands. It has been of inculculable
beneft to me & will overshadow & controll my whole future life. I am
sorry that I was not permitted to still enjoy health & to have kept with the
Reg. but regrets are useless. It was impossible therefore I shall not
[ ? ]
but do the best I can under the circumstances & get home as soon
as possible. I believe I mentioned before in this letter about Than Addis well I got
tired of writing about 11 this P.M. & quit just afterwards he came in
I did not notice him at first but soon knew who it was & we sat down &
had quite a long talk together about the boys & about folks at home etc
Charley Hunt was mentioned of which I shall have some thing to say here
after. He (I
[ ? ] Addis) left the Reg. (17” U.S.A.) last
July & has been here ever since He has been detailed some 2 ½ months
He has grown a great deal since I saw him last. He says that William
Benjamin was very sick down on the Peninsula & that he would have
died if it had not been for him (Than, I & his brother who took good care
of him. He has not heard from Cord Fay since they left Portland there
Cord was detailed as the Regimental Clerk. He did not tell me
much news I told him more than he did me. He has gone over on the other
side of the streets to see Jim Bowens, Brother. He says that he
saw Oscar Davis after he got back to his Reg but Oscar did not stay
long as he was sent to Washington & he has not heard from him
since. He says he sent Charley here in Baltimore in citizens cloths
It seems good to see a person from Royal Oak once in a while
even if you was not acquainted any more than sight.
well you must be tried of this long letter & wish that I would stop
& other will be impatient to read it long before you get
through. But I never should get tired of reading your letters no
matter how long they are. I want you to set down & take this letter
& answer evry question that you can that I have asked. If you
dont you forget a good many that I would like to have answered &
some times I dont hear anything about it at all or only after repeated
enquires. My descriptive List has not arrived yet & if it dont
pretty soon I shall request Mr Trowbridge to write to my Col. about
it & that will be pretty sure to fetch it. I dont know whether I shall
be able to get my box back or not. I think it is doubtful some what.
Where is John Harris. he is about the only one that we can depend
upon to do anything in the shape of work unless some of Dodge’s folks
can be hired or that man that works Mrs Wattles place. I suppose
some one will have to cut wood for here summer, & I do not know how
it is about work or hands around there this winter what are wa-
ges. Does Ben Briggs stay at Carries yet or has she got a man
permanently. I suppose whoever is there that they do grand mother
chores. How are the pigs doing I know some of them were not do-
-ing very well when I left. Has any of the pork been sold & if so
at what price. & has any of the apples been sold. Have you made any
cider & how much. If you cant answer all of my questions get
[ ? ] to answer some & Father & Mother the rest I would rather have
F. answer the questions about the
[ ? ], farms etc I am not satisfied
with your saying that evryting is all right. I want to know the particulars
but must stop as I have got to the end of this sheet as you can see for
yourself Remember me to all & give them my love & respects
Your affctionate Bro R.
If you see any of Uncle Allens folks or Grandfather Castle tell them
to write & give them my address. If I am able I shall
write all I can to improve my writing & composition when
you write tell me all the little particulars as it is the little
things which make the large over. It is the moment that make a life
write soon as you can & as soon as you send one commence another
No matter if you
are two or three days
about it. Write
[ ? ]
chance you get.
You Bro R A Parker
[On Envelope:]
Miss Julia H. Parker
Birmingham
Oakland Co
Michigan
