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Regiment: 24th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Albert M. Edwards
U.S. Gen. Hospital
York, Penn. August 24th/63
Captain A. M. Edwards,
Dear Sir,
I wrote you a letter from this place
dated July 21st and receiving no answer I
again take the liberty of writing to you
hoping to receive an answer at your earliest
convenience. From the time I was wounded
until the present time I have had no
opportunity to know what became of the
Company or Regiment upon 2nd of July.
Our Colonel (and he is a brick) called at
Seminary Hospital to see his boys who are
wounded but as he was in great haste I
could learn but little about our company
from him. One thing he told me which I was
glad to hear was that our Capt. was safe.
After the Colonel, our surgeon called but he
could give us no particulars. After that our
Chaplain paid us one visit but he failed to
furnish the information desired. And up to
the present time we know but little in
regard to our own boys. Now Captain,
would you be so kind as to post us as I
should like to write to some of the boys. I
am fearful Co. F shows but a small roster
now. Sir, as far as I know there is at this
hospital Corp. Wagner, doing well, also N.
Smith (acting nurse) and myself. I have
heard that McNish died at Gettysburg after
having his leg amputated. There are some 8
or 9 men from the 24th at this place and all
doing well. There is some grumbling about
the food we get here but I only wish the boys
in the field could eat as good or as much as
we do. They would not complain. For two
or three weeks past, the surgeon in charge
has been giving furloughs to those men who
can leave the hospital in safety. With your
permission endorsement by the Colonel,
Wagner and myself would like to visit
Detroit. The rule in such matters is, the
Captain makes out the recommending, the
Colonel endorses the same. It is then
forwarded to the soldier making the
application and by him left in the hands of
the surgeon for his action. If you and the
Colonel think proper to furnish Wagner and
myself with such a recommendation we still
esteem it a great favor and believe me as
ever, yours to obey, J.D. Shearer
