Patients Fill Fairfax Seminary Hospital and Its Barracks

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017

A good war-date Union surgeon's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Asst. Surgeon William C. Towle 23rd Maine Vols., Alexandria, Va., June 7, 1863, to his wife, in part: "…I have traded horses with a Quaker who lives about three miles from here…I have made a good trade…I have got the prettiest mare of anyone in the Regt. She is stone grey, six years old, weighs about nine hundred & is a 'thoroughbred' Virginia saddle horse. She is the easiest animal to ride that I ever saw. I had to pay considerable boot but I am well satisfied…I don't think there is much danger of the rebs troubling us here at present though the Gen. officers are fearful of an uprising of the citizens…in the city. There is no doubt but that the most of the people here are Secesh at heart and would gladly help on any project which the rebel leaders might undertake. The people about here have no confidence in the present administration though some of them profess to be 'Union men'…I have been over the country…I have been to Fairfax Seminary which before the war commenced was a Theological Institution of the Episcopal persuasion. It is now used for a hospital & is capable of accommodating 800 patients. It is a magnificent building situated in the loveliest grove…along the building are barracks which will accommodate 700 patients. There are about a thousand in all the buildings…the numerous graves around, marked by simple head boards attest to the fearful mortality of the past season. we shall be fortunate in getting away from here before he sickly months. The health of our regt is quite good though some of the boys will indulge their appetites a little too much when they get a good dose of caster oil & a few drops of laudanum…they wont allow an officer to leave his post now under any consideration. They are drawing the reins closer and closer everyday & I suppose it is necessary…as they have ben so slack in times past…W. C. Towle." The original transmittal cover is included. VG

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