Raleigh January 6th 1861 [mistake for 1862]
Dear Father & Mother
I know you have
been looking for a letter from me before
this but I have neglected to write When
I wrote to you last I expected that I would
soon go on to the Regiment but I am still
here in the Hospital and I dont know when
I will get away Our sick were moved to
the General Hospital about two weeks ago
they are doing very well I think John [?????]
is still confined to his bed most of the time
There is good deal of sickness among the
soldiers about here There are about 75 or 80
in the Hospital here besides a great many
sick at the Camps I have been a little
unwell for two or three day s I think
it is cold The surgeon General talks
of keeping me here untill Spring he says
he will make me ward master or head nurse
it is a pretty hard place here but a person
is not exposed to the cold as much here
as they are in camp I have not heard from
Jacob or William for sometime I have no
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late news from the war I sent my
over coat to you by Mr J M Wells
I want you to write to me as soon
as you get this and let me know how
you are doing and I want to know if
you got my coat I want to know if
you got salt to salt your meat
salt is very scarce and high here
It is sleeting here to day and is about
the roughest weather we have had here
write soon and let me know all about
the concerns at home
Your Son
S. A. Patton