Raynors HCA 2017-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/23/2017
The wife of Confederate Surgeon E. I. Eldridge 16th Georgia writes, 8pp. 4to., Flat Pond, Lee Co., Ga., June 20, 1862, to her surgeon husband, in small part: "…one came by Express containing one hundred dollars…I have so little use of money here that I expect when you return home you will find the greater part of what you have sent…still untouched. It wont spoil by keeping tho & we may have great need of it yet…all wanting to know when you were coming home again. It seems to me almost like years since you were here…it will be six months since you were at home…I hope you will get the appointment in the First Regiment…you ought to have a better position & trust that your friend will be able to procure it for you…in regard to getting a nurse. I intended writing and asking you if you could let me hire one…I don't want a little one. They are a trouble & not much help…I would like very much tho to get one who is able to wash & iron well as there is a great deal of it to be done & I would not like to call upon Mrs. C's servants to do it as they are now just about as much as they can do. Don't you think…it would be better to get one who is qualified to work as well as nurse. I wish I was all over with it now however I have not very much longer to wait…& not wait until September. Do you know anything about Dr. McCrary as a physician…there is no other Dr. about here except Dr. Reeves & I would n't have him…I suppose you have sen Mrs. Greene. She has been in Richmond…I hear the soldiers were not allowed to go to Richmond at all unless they had a furlough…you have no idea how changed Mrs. P. is since you were here. She is so disagreeable that it is quite unpleasant to be with her. She sits all day long without speaking scarcely a word to any unless it is to cut at them for something they say. She casts quite a damper upon us all here. Mrs. C. on the contrary is as cheerful & happy as she can be &…has not changed in her feelings towards the Yankees & Lee Co. people. She keeps it all to herself for I scarcely ever hear her say a word against either the one or the other. I believe the former's low spirits arise…from disappointed affections combined with the trouble she is in about her kin in Americus treating her so badly…I cannot get a pair of shoes for myself anywhere. They had some in Americus at $4.00 a pair, but not any that would fit me…I wish you would get me a good strong pair in Augusta, no. 3's either leather or morocco…Major Thomas had sent me the letters & brandy. As none of us are very fond of the article I expect it will remain uncorked until you come home…Mr. Mulkey was to be married in Americus yesterday. He hires a substitute last week & took him to the camps of institution. I suppose you have heard of the death of 'Red' John Murray. He had a presentiment that he would die if he entered the army & was for some time very reluctant to enter the service. His foreboding have proved true. Both Captains Crawford & Price have lost a great many of their men since ether have been in Richmond. Is there much sickness in our Virginia army now? Or is it only among new companies who have not yet become acclimated….let us all enjoy the peace which will follow before we get too old to appreciate it. Flora told me to ask you 'pleased' to name one of your camps for her. As it will be the only way in which to get her name noticed…if Col. Bryan resigns how long will it be before he returns home…tell me if I shall have you some boots made in Americus. The price is…from $15.00 to $20.00 which is rather better than giving 35.00 for them…your affectionate & devoted wife." The original transmittal cover is included. The address panel reads, in full: "Dr. E. I. Eldridge. Col. G. Bryan's 16th Georgia Regimen[t], Genl. Howell Cobb's Brigade, Richmond, Virginia." nor soiling else VG
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