Thunderbolt – Hospital, June 19th 1863.
Mrs. Nancy Jane my Dear,
Companion Again I Seat mySelf to drop you a few
lines which will inform you that I am not well
, but I think I am better. though my Bowels are
running off.. and I am weaker I hope these lines may reach
find you all well I read your kind letter just now
and was glad to hear from you, but Sorry to here that my
baby was Sick I hope She will be well Soon, and flesh
up again I am glad to here that they are all Busy in
Saving their Wheat I hope the Weather will be good and
that they will hold out to Save it all. if I could
not get there to help cut it I hope I will be there
before it is all eat up I am glad to hear that all
the connection is well I am Sorry Jim Harris has to go
off Now.. I dont think he ever will get back if he
goes up the country for that Climate will not
agree with a man in his condition if he could
come down the country Now, We could have
Some hope. for this country Suits diseases like
his.. We had one man in in our Co. just like him and
he has got Nearly well.. and he says he hant been
as well in 8.years.. and one Mr. Askue. says
the same Mr. Lynchs folks knows him. Dave, Askue
We have good deal of rain now It is very Warm also
the corn is growing finely It is silking & Tassleing
and Some is in roasting Ears. corn is Said to be very
good here I am glad to get a pen from home.. I think
it is a good [?] I will try it some time I am
[page 2]
writing with the Dr.s. pen now.. I got the
provision you sent me put [1] they wont let
me Eat any of the ham, now 7 or 8. of
biscuits Spoiled before I could get them eat [2]
when I had to go to the Hospital I left them
camps and when I got them here they were [???]
I can get the butter out of the bottle very
I eat some of it for dinner to day. I raise it
with my knife it will make me several baits..
I think you had better not send any more letters
by John Russell. if you send them to the Mill
as to Mrs Bensons they will come Strait
Tell Aunt Mary Ann.. that I think that
pen is a good one.. and I will think of
her every time I rite withit I want you to
keep my Gold pen, and take good care of it, and
write with it. if I had it here Some good
honest Soldier would Steal it the first
time I left it Exposed.. I have set up
to write this letter.. I am very tired it is longer
than I have sit up in 3 days before.. I think I
will be able to start home soon I am going
to try for a furlough if I can get one I will
be sure to come home so I will close yours &c
W H Harden