GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #30
 

Anson to Parents

Fort Gaston
Oct. 8^th 1863

Dear Parents

            I am better today and if I improve for a few days to come as I have for the last three I can tend to my duties again soon. I don’t expect to be well and hearty as I used to b till colder weather sets in then I hope to regain my appetite. It is coming back slowly but my stomach is so weak that the best food don’t relish. The doctor has prescribed “whiskey bitters” and I am taking them each day before each meal. It is nothing but quinine & whiskey I suppose. I wish I had not gone to the City so much for it has played me completely out. To go to the kitchen 3 or 4 rods takes all my strength and I come back glad to lie down. Why exercise should affect me as it has I don’t see. My symptoms are nothing alarming – nothing that need cause you to worry about me. I get oysters, fish, fresh meat potatoes etc. and all kinds of licors [sp.] – so that if nourishing food and stimulating drinks will give back my strength I can get it.

            The boys think a little Northern air would be the best thing I could have as much as to say I am homesick but don’t think this of me I hope I am not so much of a baby as to pine & sicken for Ma’s pies and cakes. I shall try & take better care of myself and not work to accommodate others when unable.

            I hear you worry about me. If it would do you or me any good thus to worry I would like it but I am sorry to hear of it. I dislike very much to write home about my feelings because it throws you into a fever of worriment. I sometimes think I

I’ll not say anything about my feelings at all. Then you will have no cause to worry certainly.

            I suppose Edwin is with you having a good time. I was very much please when informed that he had been selected to go home. Most of the Co, say they thought it would be A.P. before E.D. but Perry’s absence and my Co. Journal are enough to shut the door of such favors to me at least for a while. We couldn’t both come and his coming will answer my turn just as well as though I had received the favor. It is fortunate for me that I didn’t come for it only have been a tedious sea sick voyage which would undermine my health then incapacitated me for any home’s pleasures or comforts.

            Our box which you sent the 12^th of Sept. we hear nothing from Express after express comes in and brings nothing for us yet we’ve not given up hopes yet – next time it may come.

            The boys are mostly well. Wesley is in the General Hospital – Morton and Hezzie are ailing somewhat with chills or symptoms of them. By the time this reaches you I hope to be well again. We have our family Altar and enjoy it very much.

                                                                                    Good bye

                                                                                    Affectionately Your Son

                                                                                         Anson

[Written on top of first page]

The ten stamps by your letter we thankfully received, also those by the 2^nd one previous in all ten which if memory serves me right, I did not acknowledge.

            The Company are practicing with their guns this morn and make some excellent shots. One cannon and its carriage have been  blown from their position and did no injury to the men working it. One darkey that happened too near our target got knocked down by a tree limb cut off by a shot.