150 Years Ago (1864 5/23)

Philadelphia, May 23, 1864.

Dearest Abiah,

I have been made twice glad today. When I came to dinner I found a letter from you and at supper another. My health is good. I heard from you Thursday. Jacob and Lynn Brooks were here, they came on with some wounded. There has been over 5,000 wounded men brought to the hospitals, but their names have not been published in the Philadelphia papers. I saw some of the men, one from the Vermont 3rd, that was carried off the field at the same time with George Hill. George is only slightly wounded. I have made every inquiry for those I know. There were some of the wounded that came over today from the West Philadelphia hospital to enter the school. One had the flesh shot off his shin, bone not injured. Most of those that have been sent here are not badly wounded. I have picked up considerable news with regard to the killed and wounded, but I suppose you will hear it all before this reaches you.I tell you I was glad to see Jacob. He looks healthy as I ever saw him, but he had just been to New York with sick and wounded and then was sent here. He was pretty tired. I did not see Lynn, as he went to the Chestnut Hill hospital. The small pox used Jacob pretty rough, but I think in a little while his face will not show very bad scars. He had the reverend small pox, no mistake. He will never go into the field again.

I think I have passed an examination this afternoon, got through, took the highest numbers, but Oh, how I dreaded it, but tomorrow comes the tug of war. I am to be examined in tactics as I wish to start for Washington tomorrow night. There have been but twelve rejected that have gone from this school. I am not posted clear up in the school of the battallion. I have worked as hard as I ever did since I came here. I want a few days more. If I can pass tomorrow here, I shall get time in Washington. I am bound to see this thing through. If I cannot pass here I can withdraw here and go to the Regiment, and then get permission to go before the board, but there are bigger fools than I am got through, but I do not Poor Pussey to anybody, that helps a fellow here, but I imagine that it doesn’t pay in Washington. Well, I cannot tell what will happen tomorrow, but I will let you know as soon as I get to Washington. The marks that I got today will help me tomorrow. I will go to West Philadelphia if I can. There are some days some of the boys from that hospital that come here to see friends where I board. If they come over, perhaps I can hear from Ashbel Grow, but I shall go over if I can. It would give me pleasure to see him. I love every man that has received a wound fighting in this war. I have got two letters from you. They both came today, direct to me in Washington, care of Portus Baxter, M.C. I will get. I shall write to you as soon as I get there. Excuse this letter as you can imagine what kind of a flutter I am in, so good night my own dear wife.

Charles.