April 1st /63
Camp Bell Near Potomac
Dear Wife
It is with joy I seat myself for the
purpose of writing a few lines to
one that is not forgotten although
many months has elapsed Since
I last saw you I hope that so long a time
will elapse again before I am perm=
=ited to see my friends in old Rush
I thought one Spell that I should
have to be sent to the Hospital but I
feel so much better to day I am
in hopes to get along without any tro=
=uble I was in hopes one spell that I
might get Sent back to the Hospital
but I got to thinking it all over
I think the best thing I can do
is to stay with the Regt as long as
I can and when I can stand it
no long try and get my discha=
=rge for here I know I have friends
but out in the world no one can
[page 2]
tell what he will meet with my
officers are first rate kind & obliging
Seam to do every thing they can for
my comfort I must always respect
them for the kindness they have
Shown me through my Sickness as
for Steve I guess he has got smart or
at least if I could eat as much to
a meal as he could I should think
I was well enough as for my part
I do not eat much as yet but think
I shall come to my appetite in a
few days for I feel quite good at
heart John A. Wilson Seams to enjoy
first rate health which Seams good
if my health is poor I believe I
know what good health is if I
do not now enjoy at the present
but enough of this for I guess you
will think me old grany enough
for once writing about my Sickness
and various other thing I feel
very anxious to hear from home
[Page 3]
often as long as the Small pox
rages in that place I hope the worst
cases are over and that place will
Soon be free from that disease for it is
a fearful disease in an neighborhood
not because it is So fatal as many
with proper care but because you can
get no care taken of you whilst you
are sick it is a very catching disease
and those that are not afraid of it
themselves do not wish to go where
it is for fear of exposing others for
my part I have no fear of the dis=
=ease on my part but Still if I was
there I should avoid going around
where it was not for my sake
but for others I guess I have said
enough about it therefore I will
drop that part of my subject and
I guess all others for there is no
great news to write only we are order=
=ed to be ready to march with but
short notice but I guess we shall
[Page 4]
not move far as long as the mud
is as thick as it now is I must soon
close for it is getting time for one
to write short letters when they write
as often as I do as for the furlough
I guess I can get one for a longer
time then ten days if I can I shall
Surely be at home one of these days I
want you should feel encouraged
for I think this thing rebelion
is on its last legs and if so it
must soon be brought to a
close every thing look promising
and encouraging may no dark
cloud over Shadow us again I must
close my preamble by saying
you must write often and I will
do the same excuse all mistakes
This from your Husband &
best friend Luther A. Granger

To Sabra J. Granger