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Regiment: 7th Wisconsin Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Judiciary Square March 18″-65
Dear Sister
We are at present favored with regular spring weather. High wind swtshine and rain as a variety are given us many times during one day. Yesterday we had three distinct showers one half of the 24 hours the sun shown and during the day the wind blew hard enough to blow down the hospital fence. As to variation if the weather gauge of any city can beat that I’ll give up that Washington can be beat in one thing IE variety.
It sounds strang here to me when I read you account of taking a sleigh ride for here the grass is green, bud have commenced to changed into leave, if not a particle of frost is to be found in the ground But after all, this fine weather may prove to be unsettled and premature for I have seen snow flie in VA as late as May
I was pleased to hear that Capt Hobart had been furloughed and had reached home After having gone through all of the hardships that he has the government could afford to give him a leave of absence for three month for I supose that from all accounts it will take him sometime to get in military trim again.
Of course I was pleased to hear that he gave me a food recommend am sorry for my sake that he could not have been present to have helped the promotion along but perhaps it would have done no good for generaly speaking those that are most unworthy receive the favors It certainly was the case in this instance for the fortunate man. Now. H.S. was always at the rear or to use a military phrase a “Hospital Bummer” In fact in looking over the military appointments found in the last sentinal I was almost led to believe that this rule would hold good invariable I have nothing else to write about and so will give you several instance of this military favoritism Among there appointments are Hiram B Huntress as 1″ Lieut Co G 49″ Wis JE Brown of Co C 1st Wis Hv Art as 2nd Lieut CoD 48″ Wis Henry Rupka of 7″ Wis as 2d Lieut R 51st Wis amd AP Hunting CoM 1st Hv Art as 2d Lieut Co C 53d Wis My memory is good in remembering names if it is not in other things and thus I am able to recall all of the above to mind The first one HBH formerly belonged in Co K 7th Wis & was never with his company only 10 months out of two years and that time was detailed as nurse in the Div Hospt But this would not amount to but little had he been kind to the patients but he was just the opposite he was in the same ward that Manly was in when he died and I saw enough of him their to despise him for he had a mean blustering way and took no intrest in the welfare of his patients Now he is 1st Lieut gained perhaps by gallants and noble deed while in the hospital at the rear Away with such kind of favoritism J E Brown was in CoB and was discharged before he had been in service a year The fact of his being in the Hv Artilery and also A P Hunting show for it self that he has seen no active service since As to the other one about as much can be said for him as for the first one for his military experience has been confined to nursing in the hospital There are also many others promotions in this paper after this same stile Among the number is 52nd Lieuts of the 42 43rd and 44th Regt made Capts and Lieuts in the 50th & 52d Regt Those men have never left the state or if they have they have never been engaged Presume that they were promoted for gallantry at Camp Randall
I look the column through in vain endeavoring to find sum of the “62” men or some of the old veterans name for promotion but not an instance is to be found I don’t know but there is some truth in the saying that a soldier who bas the smell of burnt powder about his clothes he is disqualified to hold a position in a new Regt But I am speaking to much space on this question I do not envy them their good birth & hope that they will live through it all to thank their friend who helped them to the position
I hope that Capt will give me a call should he come this way
I like the looks of mollies picture first rate and all who I have shown it to are of the same opinion you can see a sequmish look in her face as you can read it in her letters She’s a high flier I’ll bett
You letter was received in due time and read with great intrest much more that mine will be for I know that they are deficient in news In return give my best wishes to Mrs. Dyer and Sarah Hope that the latter will among her “leagon of speaks” sucseede in getting the best one I believe however that rank will prevail over all accomplishments in the final choice Am glad to see that you keep me poster on such matters for I like to hear all of the rumors and surmises
Mary writes in her letter that her mother will rent there place to Mr Prime of they can get a smaller house Is Mr. Prime keeping store again and if not who has his old store How is the returned soldiers getting along Cleat Foster Lampson and Alie Hughs
In regard to my own condition it is a settled fact that my not getting along better is on acount of the ball lodging in my right side The Dr says it is a buck shot or pistol call and that it may work out itself after a while but that is will not answer to take it out the ball being near a vital point
I received a letter from Cours Marshall a few days ago he is still on the Gun Boat Gen Grant and says he is bound to see this war throug is he lives Don’t you think I am getting my hand pretty near full in getting letters I will certainly have my hands full in answering them but I guess I can do it
Enclosed you will find a portrait of Arnold Boyd formerly of the 24th Wis but now belonging to the 47
th Co VRL He is a pointer by trade and formerly worked in the news office at Milwaukee He is now Hospital Renter here He is an inteligent younn man and has seemed to take a good deal of paines to favor me fetching me looks and other things I am not aquainted with but 4 or 5 names in the 2 Co but still most of them have call upon me and favored me in many ways
But still my sheet is full } Spencer
