Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
A good war-date Union surgeon's letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle 23rd Maine Vols., Edwards Ferry, MD, Mar. 4, 1863, to his wife, in part: "…I sent ten men to the Gen. hospital, Washington this morning…some of them may get well if they stand it to get home…I went up to Poolsville yesterday with Crocker…it is a small place…it has two or three meeting houses, three or four stores, blacksmith shop etc. Some of the cavalry boys surprised & captured a Rebel Capt. who was on a visit to his friends near Poolsville. On arriving at…two roads leading in different directions…the prisoner stopped, being mounted on his own horse and asked…'which road they were going to take?' They replied…when he putting spurs to his horse told them that he should take the other and he escaped…the boys say that his horse went twenty feet at a leap…the hospital…is as full now as it was before …we can accommodate twenty two in the hospital…they have ten cases of small pox down in Co. I. Dr. Sweet is there. I have vaccinated a great number of our men, some of them never were before. I vaccinate all that do not have a good [?] on the arm with 'Pock Marks'. The hardest disease I…contend with is 'home sickness'. A great many being affected in that way…the hospital steward draws rations and I add something to it so that we mess together …I have made me a stable out of rails…I have just ordered two men to go to chopping wood. They were trying to play sick & have been doing so for a number of days…they will be glad to go on duty before many days…your affectionate husband, W. C. T." The original transmittal cover addressed: "Mrs. Wm. C. Towle" is included. Near fine.
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